Lent 2009

We are now in the midst of the Lenten season. We often ask ourselves, what will we give up for Lent? For many of us, it's some type of food or drink deprivation. For others, it's a certain behavior, i.e. smoking. It's so important, to help ourselves become more healthy. We must certainly do this for ourselves, as well as our children.

I always think, is there something spiritual I can do to prepare myself for Easter? I feel that prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are all so easy.
What's difficult, I think, is being kind to those who are unkind in return. I always feel, that if you follow the golden rule, that should be easily reciprocated to you. Unfortunately, the real world doesn't work that way.

I think of the Serenity Prayer. There's a line that says,
"Taking as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will."

Trust. It's such a beautiful and powerful concept.
Continue to live as Jesus asked us to. Give of oneself without expecting anything in return from our fellow man. Trust that the Lord will take care of us.
Those are my Lenten goals.