Lent started yesterday. Ash Wednesday, a day when many traditional churches dispense a cross of ashes to a person's forehead to remind us that Christ died for us... and lives for us. And that we are simple beings, from ashes and to ashes eventually.
That seems so very sober. And it is... but it's beautiful, too, for what are we if we don't come to spiritual and emotional terms with mortality? Our own and others?
So Lent is that season of remembrance. It's not commercialized the way Advent is, leading up to a very secular form of Christmas...
And we don't decorate the house for Lent... we wash our souls.
It's like the spring cleaning of our inner selves. We think. We pray. We resolve. We try harder...
We forgive and we ask forgiveness.
Lent can be a season of atonement and a season of doing. Of doing unto others and making ourselves available as needed.
Christ spent 40 days in the wilderness.
We spend those same 40 days in heated homes with stocked cupboards and refrigerators.
And yet we still complain.
How did he do it, I wonder? Was he tempted by all the stinkin' devil offered? Did it look so grand, the chance for amazing, awesome power???
Instead of the cross?
Oh mylanta, I am so gobsmacked by that.
So today we're looking ahead prayerfully. We're searching hearts and souls for how we can be a better person, a better family, a better community.
For God gave his only begotten son to us. To me and you and our families and EVERYONE!!!!
Oh, that God! He's something, isn't he?
I am sending you blessings during this season of prayer and atonement. I pray that your Lenten experience brings you closer to God, to your family, to your friends.... that old wrongs are repaired and new hearts are treasured.
Wishing the full blessing of this Lenten season!
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