Hot Water (03/07/2024)

This morning, I did what I always do (yes, I am a rut person). I woke up, strolled to the kitchen, turned on the coffee maker, tested my blood sugar, went to the bathroom, and came back for that first cup of coffee. As I reached for the coffee pot, I realized it was full of clear water. “Oh, I told myself, something’s amiss.” So, I opened the lid of the coffee maker only to realize that I had forgotten to put coffee in the basket last night because my husband had distracted me with a question. I grabbed the coffee, added it to the basket, poured the clear water back in the reservoir, and hit the on button again. As I stood and watched the brew begin to fill the pot, I reminded myself – “Stay focused, girl.”

The world is full of distractions, things that interrupt us or sidetrack us. Nowhere in our lives is this more abundantly clear than in our journeys as disciples. The world truly doesn’t want us to focus on this. Our Lenten journey is to remind us of how important our focus is on our relationships with the LORD and one another and of how focused the LORD is on loving us and calling us back.

Through our Lenten “fasting,” we simplify our lives by eliminating the non-essential, giving up television or sweets or gambling. We find through this, hopefully, a renewed sense of power through grace, power to center ourselves, to recognize the strength that is within us through the power of the Spirit, the motivation to turn back with our whole heart, mind, and being.

Through our Lenten “almsgiving,” we open our eyes to those around us, recognizing the needs of our sisters and brothers, concentrating on the well-being of others not just ourselves. Our sense of belonging is heightened and at our core is our shared origin, the love of the LORD so profound that it calls us into being, calls us back to ourselves, calls us to love as we have been loved. As we meditate upon the crucifix, we realize what our Savior gave for us and that sacrifice for others is part of our journey.

Through our Lenten “prayer,” we turn to the LORD and find that the closer we draw to the LORD, the closer we come to knowing ourselves and our true calling, our life in, with, and through the LORD. Our time in prayer helps us to focus on the essential – loving relationships with our LORD and one another as well as with ourselves.

As we pass the half-way point on our Lenten journey, may we commit anew to staying the course, to focusing on what is at stake – us and our world. May we resolve with even more love to live as Christ’s disciples, picking up our crosses, following in His footsteps. May the sunrise on Easter morning find us stronger in our faith, more resilient in our hope, and more loving always and everywhere.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.

Thoughts? Questions? – email katewiskus@gmail.com