Pastor Patricia’s Pauses

The winter just keeps dragging on and on and on! It seems there is a cycle lately of snow storm, followed by fifty degree weather, followed by more snow. I just wish the weather would make up its mind! How I long for the day of the sun going down at 9:30 pm with sunshine all day!

Lent is beginning and as we start Lent it is a time of evaluating our relationship with our God. As a kid growing up, we were always taught to give up something. Some of my wittier friends would give up watermelon or snow cones! I never thought that far ahead. I usually gave up chocolate – which is a real struggle for me as I love my sweets. But now as an adult, I know that whatever it is we do or not do during lent is more of an exercise to bring us into a deeper relationship with God. When one looks at it that way, the action is less of a chore and more of a meaningful, joyful thing. So, for me, I like to try to read more of my bible or get a special Lenten devotional book. I also try to watch what it is I’m eating a bit better and try to exercise more. Since I hate exercising at all, this is always a battle. By the time Easter rolls around, I usually find myself in a better place with my Creator. 

As I think about it, 40 days isn’t really that long. The people in the time of Moses had to wait 40 YEARS to get into the Promised Land. Since life spans were considerably shorter, that would mean that some people would never make it to the Promised Land. Moses, for example, died just before crossing the Jordan River. Would I have that kind of faith that lasts more than a lifetime? Would I be able to endure all the hardships of the time and still believe that we would go to a better land? I can’t say for sure what my answer would be. But as I look at the 40 days of Lent, remembering the people of Israel during the time of wandering in the dessert helps me to be more patient with myself.

So, no matter what you do or stop doing during Lent, it is my prayer that you draw closer to the Almighty Father and creator of all things. I pray that your practice strengthens you for whatever it is that you are facing and that the love of Jesus Christ remains with you today and every day!