I dropped Margaret off for jury duty at 7:30 am this morning. She called me around 9:00 am and said, "Come get me. I am finished." We suddenly had a day in front of us with no plans. A ride into the mountains before the upcoming snowstorm sounded like a plan.
We stopped at a place right along the river. It was 48 degrees, quiet, and extremely peaceful. It wasn't the ocean, and it wasn't the warmth of the Florida sun, but the sound of the water running amid the icy patches brought a sense of calm that was delightful.
We stopped at a place right along the river. It was 48 degrees, quiet, and extremely peaceful. It wasn't the ocean, and it wasn't the warmth of the Florida sun, but the sound of the water running amid the icy patches brought a sense of calm that was delightful.
As we prepare to begin our Lenten journey tomorrow, please know of my prayers for each of you reading these pages. Wherever you are in your spiritual walk, be assured of God's love for you. Open yourself to receiving God's grace, forgiveness, and compassion.
In the top center of the above photo, you can see dead trees from a wildfire two years ago. Do you have wounds and scars from life? Please recognize that healing takes time. Those trees burned in the fire do not immediately return. Seedlings sprout and new growth eventually pops through the crust of the earth. Be patient with yourself if you are healing from deep wounds.
Have our hearts turned to stone? Have we become cynical with the way things are? What do we want to bring to the Lord in prayer? Is your heart and mine able to truly love God and neighbor?
Are we like the dormant trees in the foreground, or do we more resemble the evergreens? Are we stale and in a rut, or are we producing good spiritual fruit all year long?
Are we more like the ice in the river, or the water that is flowing freely? Are we trapped and locked up in the bondage of sin, or have we truly been set free by the waters of baptism?
When Easter arrives on April 9, will we be able to look back at Lent and say, "Wow! I have grown closer to the Lord."? Let's make it a great journey.
In the top center of the above photo, you can see dead trees from a wildfire two years ago. Do you have wounds and scars from life? Please recognize that healing takes time. Those trees burned in the fire do not immediately return. Seedlings sprout and new growth eventually pops through the crust of the earth. Be patient with yourself if you are healing from deep wounds.
Have our hearts turned to stone? Have we become cynical with the way things are? What do we want to bring to the Lord in prayer? Is your heart and mine able to truly love God and neighbor?
Are we like the dormant trees in the foreground, or do we more resemble the evergreens? Are we stale and in a rut, or are we producing good spiritual fruit all year long?
Are we more like the ice in the river, or the water that is flowing freely? Are we trapped and locked up in the bondage of sin, or have we truly been set free by the waters of baptism?
When Easter arrives on April 9, will we be able to look back at Lent and say, "Wow! I have grown closer to the Lord."? Let's make it a great journey.
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