For Lent Only - You Taught Me 

For those of you who know Cynth Mernagh, one of Father Jonathan's chapters includes a personal interview with Cynth just weeks before she died. It is an" on-going" testimony to the many ways she touched so many of our lives. She lived a life of faith to imitate.

We're almost there.  Soon we can eat that candy, play those computer games, drink coffee again, or... even stop putting on your seatbelt ...  My little 4 year old grandson, James, decided to buckle his own seatbelt for Lent....so cute! He says, "Nana, don't buckle me, it is my sacrifice for Lent, I will do it myself".  He also reminded me that there are "no changes" in the middle of Lent, meaning , you're not allowed to  give up" before Easter! (Good work Joe and Darcy for teaching him so well).  

"Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." 

We all know that we don't get to heaven by  sacrificing.  But sacrificing some of our available pleasures in order to be more spiritually attuned to hearing  the voice of God, putting our faith and hope in Him, can be a very powerful prayer.  

By "giving up", we are saying that we BELIEVE in the Christ that we are thinking about this Lent as He approaches the end of His earthly life.  We are saying that we want Jesus to capture more of our heart so that we can learn from him how to do the will of the Father.  

I challenge you to join me these next two weeks  in hungering  for a deeper relationship with God above all of our earthly treasures and delights that are a gift from God.  As Christ renounced His life to free us from our sins, let's renounce ours and go after the Pearl of Great Price.  

One of my "new end of Lent" sacrifices will be to bring order more quickly to my kitchen and our bedroom because I know that Bob really likes that.  I usually like to do a "few things" first and then do the ordering (unless I forget to get back to the ordering).  It will bless Bob and it will remind me of how much more I want to love God with my whole mind and heart and soul and my neighbor as myself.  Jesus, let me walk with you to the Cross.   

Let's remember our Jewish neighbors who are preparing to celebrate the Passover.  My very good friends (from the playpen friends), Jeanie and Junie,  have faith in God as a central part of their lives.  As Jewish believers, they  are awaiting the Messiah. I, as a Christian, believe that the Messiah, Jesus, has come.   

Even with our clear differences, we inspire one another by believing with all our hearts what God has placed there.  When I visit Junie's kitchen and see her  following the customs from the old testament of cutting different foods on different counters and starting the Sabbath as soon as the sun goes down and praying her prayers, I am deeply moved to love and obey God more.  When I see Jeanie getting a special award from her Temple for the way she exemplifies her beliefs, I celebrate with her and become a better believer myself  because of her love for God. Ann, their sister, provides our beautiful pictures at the top of our Lenten reflection. 

I brought some of our grandchildren to visit Junie in New York not too long ago.  She showed them her unique Orthodox Jewish kitchen and shared her customs. She also told the children (who were all ears and eyes!) that she used to go to church  with their grandmother when she was young because her family didn't practice their faith.  She told them that she loves God so much today because Sharon showed her what faith looked like.

God is our Father. 

I remember the day I recommitted my life to Jesus when I was 19 years old.  I had left the church and began searching for "truth" and answers to life in many different directions. My brother, Ralph, led led me in a prayer of faith.  

I remember that very "instant" that I said, "Yes....I am willing to take this 'chance' that the word of God is true.  Jesus is my Savior."  I still had doubts and they flashed before me...all of them at once it seemed.  But my "yes" was filled with promise and faith.  And that faith in Christ has never once failed me.  I went out that evening to Confession (I am Catholic) and I felt like the prodigal daughter coming home.  I  knew that I was forgiven of all of my sins.  I was a new creation in Christ.  I returned to the Church and my life has never been the same.  

It has been many years since that day, and I feel as though I am just beginning to understand the depths of God's love for me, the hope of His promises and the joy-filled life that He teaches me to live.  I am getting a glimpse of the "everlasting".  Life with God goes on and on.  Today, after writing, I will get on my knees and say that "Yes" to Jesus  again with all of my heart.   Won't you join me?

   STUDY FOR SCRIPTURE QUIZ ON THURSDAY.