I don't think Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday fall within the same week too often - at least I don't remember it. Valentine's Day is about hearts, flowers and love. But just 3 days later (Sunday to Wednesday) comes all those ashes. Such a difference a few days brings. On Valentine's day we show people how much we love them, give gifts, hugs, cards - go out to dinner and movies - celebrate our love for each other! Then here we are at Ash Wednesday in the morning. We will be starting into the 40 days of lent, a time of repentance and remembering the sacrifices of our Lord, Jesus on our behalf. We go into a few days of fasting (giving up something) and meditations and our own "way of the cross".
For many years of my life I lived in the world of tensions between belief and doubt, not understanding why or what I was doing this for. Is there really a God, and a Jesus who cares about me, and a Holy Spirit who guides my life? Is there a trinity, is the Bible really God's word and His love letter to me? Then my glorious, merciful God shoved me over the line to a place of no doubt. And now I live in the tensions between my passionate love of life and desire to cling to it as long as possible, and awareness that life may be taken from me before I'd wish.
Acceptance of that tension creates the most magnificent beauty and spiritual awareness. It makes me wonder why we all don't let go of anger and resentments and fall to the ground in wonder of God's great gifts. I don't believe God cares a bit about religious and political differences. According to Jesus' greatest commandments, life ultimately is about loving God and each other. Matthew 22:38-40.
Now-a-days I look at it this way - Pondering over my many decades of life (7+ of them), I think of how fast time goes by. How things that happened seem like just yesterday. Life is a heartbeat, a nano-second of earthly being. Why would I waste any of it with negative thoughts and actions? (I've certainly done too much of that in my lifetime!)
The heart of Lent and St. Valentine's Day is that Jesus went willingly to the cross to bring life everlasting to us believers. That includes making life beautiful and joyful here and now by learning not to fear death. By willingly and with love in our hearts, picking up the crosses life throws our way, we learn to live in God's presence and how to spread God's love to others.
Dad and I plan to attend our Ash Wednesday service. As the ashes are put on my forehead in the form of a cross, to remind me of what lent is all about - "Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel." As lent begins, the 40 days of repentance and spiritual growth before Easter, I want to live those words in the tension between my love of life and my slightly shaky physical being.
I want to celebrate my continuing conversion to the Lord's ways. He has sent us many valentines. He says "I love you, Lonnie" in so many ways every day. His word - the Bible - is His Love Letter to me. This is for you, too!
I keep hearing these verses in new ways, always full of grace and love:
"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
6 comments:
Wow! What an awesome teaching and verse to share with all of those you love. Your faithfulness and teachings are being passed on to children and grandchildren and you are a true vessel of God's work. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Linda! I feel so blessed to be able to share what God does for and says to me. It's encouraging when someone comments on it! Thank you!
Very, very meaningful teaching, Lonnie. Thank you for being so open to the Spirit. I can't tell you how many dreams I have had about people from my past or little events from my past in the past several months (since I was diagnosed w/cancer). Time is just a flash in time!
It is interesting that you use the scripture that you did to close your teaching. I remember going to a Stations of the Cross with Tammy when she was about 5 or six. That scripture was used, and I felt it to the depths of my soul. Thank you for reminding me of the great, unending love of Jesus.
YEs...Linda and Sharon said it very well!!! I love that scripture, too, mom. IT really helped me today. I am so grateful that I am able to share thoughts and feelings and LIFE with my favorite Aunt, Sharon, Mom, and Sisters. I love you all! God has richly blessed us with each other.
Do you want to share some of the dreams and memories of little events from your past, Sharon? IF you want to, that is.
And yes, Karen - we are so blessed to have each other, and to be family.
This computer stuff is a great invention for being able to share with each other.
Thanks for this, Mom. Not sure why I didn't read it sooner, but I sure needed that today!
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