One of my favorite Artists, Liz Lemon Swindle, has painted It is Finished, featured above. I am so grateful to her and to other artists who help us image the event that changed our lives for all time. I think of my Lenten resolutions which seem to be a burden and I realize how insignificant they really are in comparison to the burdens that so many people carry each day without a choice: the burden of mental illness, the burden of loss of employment, the burden of an incurable disease, the burden of living in destitution.
It helps me to realize that, like Jesus, I can offer the suffering of inconveniences this day for those in dire need. Then, I begin to realize that my small Lenten resolutions can become powerhouses of love for another, even for someone I do not know. I come to realize that nothing is insignificant in God's eyes. Anything offered in sincere love is beautiful.
So today, as I go about a normal day at work, along with other responsibilities, I renew my Lenten resolution on this First Friday of Lent 2014. I offer my whole day as a gift of grace for those who Christ knows are in need. I offer my whole day in love, in return for the love he poured out for me. The world may ridicule or chastise me for this kind of faith. "How," it may ask, "does your little prayer help others? Be real." Focusing my eyes on One who was ridiculed and chastised "big time" helps me to hang on even when "the world" doesn't have the same faith-vision.
Who will you offer this First Friday in Lent for?
It helps me to realize that, like Jesus, I can offer the suffering of inconveniences this day for those in dire need. Then, I begin to realize that my small Lenten resolutions can become powerhouses of love for another, even for someone I do not know. I come to realize that nothing is insignificant in God's eyes. Anything offered in sincere love is beautiful.
So today, as I go about a normal day at work, along with other responsibilities, I renew my Lenten resolution on this First Friday of Lent 2014. I offer my whole day as a gift of grace for those who Christ knows are in need. I offer my whole day in love, in return for the love he poured out for me. The world may ridicule or chastise me for this kind of faith. "How," it may ask, "does your little prayer help others? Be real." Focusing my eyes on One who was ridiculed and chastised "big time" helps me to hang on even when "the world" doesn't have the same faith-vision.
Who will you offer this First Friday in Lent for?
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