A Special Lenten Message

Hello Friends! I feel compelled to share with you how much I love the Hallow app. The wealth of reflections, prayers, and other resources have sustained me throughout the days. It’s part of that statement by Jesus in Matthew Chapter 4 verse 4 which states “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The good people at Hallow are running a wonderful program called “Lent 40,” where we spend 40 days during the Lenten season in prayer and meditation, and the theme this year is “the return.” The parable of the prodigal son is mentioned often, in which a man squanders a great part of his father’s estate in sin, only to find that in the end it has left him empty, poor, and broken. He returns home, expecting to live the life of a servant, but his own father celebrates that he has returned, and is no longer dead, but alive. No longer lost, but found. No longer selfish, but taking ownership for his mistakes. For all of us, the season of Lent is an opportunity to return to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and recommit ourselves to the vocation we are called to. Hallow does a wonderful job with this. I am sorry to say that I have fallen terribly short. I always try to be open about what’s going on in our ministry, both up front and behind the scenes. Since November of last year, I have been struggling with some complications from both diabetes and a rare neurological disorder. It hasn’t been the easiest winter. In fact, the winter season just makes everything more difficult, and I know that I am not the only one who struggles with this. Without going into the laundry list of my ailments, it is sufficient to say that I have fallen behind on some of my duties within this ministry. Frequent sick days and the subsequent missed work have hurt our self-funded ministry efforts financially, and have simultaneously slowed my research progress.  On February 24, after much prayer and discernment, I had made the announcement on our Facebook page that I would be suspending operations indefinitely for Data Trust. In life, there are hits, and there are misses. And then there are MISSES. The latter is an absolute airball. A duffed shot on the golf course. A fumble at the one-yard line. I now realize that despite my best efforts to discern what direction the Lord wants me to take with my life, I very much needed to rethink my decision. Sometimes severe illness can cloud our prayer and discernment, and I do not lack the humility to admit that I completely duffed the shot on this call in my vocational life. This is my ministry, and my life’s work. I have been doing this work since October of 2020. To give it up simply because I haven’t been feeling well for a few months is not only the wrong call, it is the opposite of what we are called to do at Lent. And worse yet, despite my prayer and discernment, I view it as an impulsive decision. Way to go Barrett! I thought perhaps I failed God, that I turned away from him, unwilling to continue my vocation. But I have since recommitted myself to the Lord. To fight the good fight and press on with our ministry’s efforts as usual. The reason for this is quite simple; the calling feels to be abundantly clear to me, and there are too few people in this fight. A lot of our time and resources go not only to researching and analyzing critical issues like human trafficking, but also to supporting the Appalachian region through the findings of our research. That primarily entails food distribution, assistance to the homeless, and emergency relief, among other tasks. And there has been no greater need for service to others in that respect than now. And so I will continue on, with the support of family, friends, and the Clergy of the Church to glorify God by building his kingdom here on Earth. It just means that things might not be done at the speed I was hoping for, but that is ok. And so I choose to renew my faith, and step it up with my vocation. More prayer time, more discernment, and more effort into our ministry’s work. I have so many wonderful blessings in my life, so how can I not answer God’s call to help those who may have not received the same blessings? People in this state go without clean water, sufficient heat, or adequate food. In certain regions of West Virginia, children eat their weekend rations on the way to school instead of making them last through the week because they are starving. God loves all of us, and desires to have a relationship with him. He will ask you to do things in his name to glorify him. Sometimes they may be difficult. Other times they may be easy. They will always be good and holy, and will most likely renew your sense of purpose and fulfilment. Having said all of that, I will continue to fight the good fight, and I pray for each and every one of you as we travel this path of happy destiny, in self-denial and acceptance of Christ this Lenten season. I would ask everyone to recommit themselves to Christ this Lenten Season. Please remember in your asceticism to pray for those who have less, those who are poor, those who are homeless, those who are victims of human trafficking, and those whose cries and suffering go unheard. Take care and God Bless,

Barrett Robinson