By Stephen Holinaty | Special Contributor

Sometimes in life you think about “what ifs” and “I wish” but then you may be jarred or more appropriately awakened by an experience that puts things in perspective for you.

A man was on his way to Mass on Palm Sunday when his mind started to wonder . . .

What if my career had gone in a different direction.

I wish I would have waited another year before we bought our home because we could have gotten a bigger home and cheaper.

I wish we could eat out more as a family.

What if we budgeted better? Maybe we could have flown out to see our aunt in San Diego and taken the kids to Disney World.

At Mass, when the man came to his pew after Communion, he noticed a mom and her daughter going to their seat. What stood out was the mom was wearing a bandanna on her head and it looked like she had no hair. The daughter helped the mom back to the pew. The man saw a spiritual strength and calmness in both their eyes.

He went from thinking what if and I wish to THANK GOD and I will PRAY for you!

He realized driving home that he needed to think more like St. Francis. He thought:

Instead of wishing for a bigger home, thank God that I have a home while there are millions that are homeless. I know of a place called “Tent City” in the next town that “houses” families that are homeless. They take donations of clothes and I have plenty that I don’t use. I can donate them.

Instead of wishing to be served, let me come home and serve my family and say grace that we have food for dinner when there are millions of people who go to bed hungry and are begging for food to share with their siblings. Instead of wishing, I can go to the register and take one of the $1 donations “tickets” for the local food bank and donate a $1 when I shop for food.

Instead of thinking about the vacation you can’t have, be grateful that you can go somewhere once a year.

The same aunt told him of a story of a neighbor who is a single parent and they keep a “fun” jar. It may take them months to save up to go to a matinee movie.

The man looked for free family fun and realized it is more important how you spend your time  together rather than where you spend time together.

The point was reinforced in his mind and in his heart on Holy Thursday. He was at work and it was time to lock up the child care center when one teacher assistant asked a teacher why she was not wearing her normal coat. The teacher shrugged and said she just wore a different one today. The teacher assistant went on to say how she really looked good in her yellow coat. The teacher paused for a moment and getting ready to leave replied that she was, “just grateful to have a coat to put on.”

The man realized one final thing. Instead of wondering why people who have millions don’t donate more rather than having three homes, 10 cars etc., he realized he should worry about what he can do. For as Jesus said, the woman who gave her two cents gave more than all the others combined.

Don’t point the finger, rather lead by example. Because the light shines through the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it (John 1:5).

 Holinaty is a member of St. Aloysius Parish, Jackson.