It’s Ash Wednesday, the start of our Lenten journey. Time to focus on changing our hearts and minds. Time to grow in a deeper relationship with our Lord. Time to prepare to better understand what his Passion and Resurrection really mean for us. No more putting off to tomorrow, what needs to be done today.
He’s inviting us…hear his voice. Let’s rediscover the Mary within by sitting at his feet where we can listen and talk with him.
Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation. Come back to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and with mourning.
Oh Lord, my heart is heavy and weighted down with my grief, worry, and fears. For whatever reason, I have strayed. I’ve wandered around searching for something to fill my heart, but it never satisfies for long. Can you see beneath the years of scar tissue built up around my wounded heart? I’ve used worldly distractions to cover my pain, but it’s not working. Please help me.
Sweet Child, please hear me today. My mercies are new each morning.
Today is the day I’m calling you back. Take the first step.
Don’t wait.
Don’t put off the joy because of the suffering.
Don’t delay the peace because of your fear.
And don’t miss out on the healing because you know that the process may be painful and hard. You are not alone. Today, choose the better part. Choose Me.
Oh Lord, the desire is there deep within me and I feel it stirring. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. I need more of you and less of me. How do I do that? It feels a bit overwhelming.
Precious One, begin small. Pray. Talk to me. Tell me all that is on your heart. Then, open your love letters that I’ve given you. Read and hear me speaking to you through my Word. Come with me step by step, today and each day. Trust me to reveal myself to you and let’s build a solid relationship that will bring you the peace you seek. I promise our time together will be worth it.
But hear this, this time will not be without it’s struggles. Nothing of value is easy. But, do you realize that in my Holy Trinity, I will be all you need?
As your Father God, I’m going to be challenging you. I’ll be asking for your sacrifices, for your self-donation, for your courage to stretch yourself and let go of things that are false safety nets. They keep you from really knowing me. They distract and pull you in different directions. And sometimes, they replace me in your heart. But remember, your father loves you and watches over you and teaches you how to be like himself. I will walk with you, holding your hand, until you are ready to run. And then, I will watch with pride as you use the gifts I’ve given you to bless others.
As your Brother Jesus, I’ve walked the road you are about to travel. I took on your flesh and became like you. I truly do understand what you are going through. The pain, temptations, and struggles… Yes, I faced them all as well. And I can show you a way to navigate the twists and turns because this road is familiar to me. I promise to protect you, like any good big brother would do. I will warn you when you start to slip and I will model for you the way. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Follow me.
And finally, I am your Lover, the Holy Spirit. When I look at you, I see so much more than your pain and failings. I see my beautiful creation with whom I long to be in relationship. I want to be your lover. I want to hold you close, remind you of your beauty, and admire your strengths and gifts. I want to fill you with the Grace to believe in yourself and step out with courage to do your Father’s will. My love is unselfish, unguarded, and unconditional. Please invite me in and let me walk with you each day.
Lord, thank you. Today I will begin to sit at your feet. I will choose the better part.
I will make the time to open the scriptures and hear your voice.
I will ponder the things that I worship instead of you and I will work on letting them go.
I will pray more and worry less.
I will work at caring for others more than I care for myself.
Thank you for seeing me just as I am and still wanting to be with me. And thank you for loving me enough to want me to be better.
I love you!
(Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 51, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18)
What are your thoughts about how He loves you and what He’s calling you to do this Lent?
Note from Barb: Each day, please spend some time quietly and slowly reading through the Scripture passages at the bottom of each post. They are the readings for each day of Lent. You can also find them here. http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030619.cfm
And this part is important. After you read the scripture and the daily post, share your thoughts in the comments below. The discussion we have will be a big part of our growth.
Reflections of a Cute Lil Mom 