Scrub up!

"Wash yourselves clean!"

Isaiah 1:16

 

Interesting that today's admonition to "wash ourselves clean" falls on the same day that Paula Huston in her Lenten book, "Simplifying the Soul" has us forego our daily shower.  Hum...what gives?  Well, of course, Isaiah is speaking of washing ourselves clean of our misdeeds.  Ms. Huston is urging us to appreciate the pampered cushy lives we enjoy in comparison to those who suffer in real poverty.  Two different things, but the words "wash yourselves clean" are worth pondering.  What are we to wash off ourselves today, even as we skip the shower?  Well, we can wash off unkind attitudes and harsh judgments. We can wash gossip from our mouths. We can scrub off prejudices and misconceptions about people and groups. There is plenty we can rinse off ourselves as we heed Isaiah and wash ourselves clean!   What would you like to see go down your drain?  Love, heidi

Loving Jesus in our neighbor

"Stop judging and you will not be judged."

Luke 6:37

 

It's no accident that the readings of Lent help us to pry open our hearts and see where we'd really like to change, right?  This time of repentance and renewal give us a great opportunity to take stock in how we treat others. Is how we treat others an accurate picture of how much we love God?  Because God seems to think so.  Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:40, "Whatever you did for one of the least brothers of mine you did for me." How we treat others is a reflection of our love for God.  Startling isn't it?  It's so easy to love God but so much harder to love our neighbor. How we treat others gives a brief glimpse at how we would treat Jesus if (when, really) Jesus shows up in our daily lives. Let's be really aware of our thoughts and words today as we begin this second week of Lent.  If we find ourselves forming judgments or negative attitudes about others, let's stop. Would we say these words about Jesus? Would we ever call Jesus lazy or irresponsible? Would we make fun of Jesus' appearance? Would we criticize Jesus in any way? Certainly not!  So, let's love our neighbor the same way.  Love, heidi

Kindness to strangers

"Do to others whatever you would have them do to you."

Matthew 7:12

 

It sounds so simple and we have heard it all of our lives.  What is so awakening about this scripture today? I was thinking about how we tend to act differently when we think we are anonymous.  Like on message boards online, or in the comment section of an article.  The things that people say when they are "anonymous," or think they are, would curl your hair.  People are, generally, kinder and more generous when they have their picture next to their comment. Jesus doesn't make the distinction that we should only treat people well when they know who we are.  We should treat strangers with the same kindness we treat those we work with or interact with regularly. We should treat people (ALL people) with kindness, respect and compassion, no matter who they are.  Today, let's be extra aware of the strangers with whom we interact.  If it helps, think of them as people you already know and love.  Treat them the way you want them to treat you. Love, heidi  

From the heart outward...

"A clean heart create in me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me."

Psalm 51:12

 

Lent is a week old already! Can you believe it?  How are we doing? One week ago we received ashes on our foreheads and were told to repent and return to the Gospel.  Have we changed yet? Too soon to know? O Lord, we do need a change of heart, more than any of the external changes we may make for Lent.  Grow us from the heart outward, so that others benefit from our Lenten practices.  Create clean hearts in us; hearts that can love others better, the way you love them! Teach us how we can show that love to all we meet today!  Love, heidi

Forgive others...

"If you forgive men their transactions, your heavenly father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men neither will your Father forgive your transactions."

Matthew 6:14-15

 

One of the reflections I read on this scripture this morning asked, "Is there anyone in particular you need to forgive today?" Hmmm, good question.  Sometimes I can list off a bunch of names of people I have issues with, whom I may feel have "done me wrong." But, today, I sat there.  No one came to mind.  Really?  I don't feel wronged by anybody, in fact, I feel so richly blessed by the people in my life.  I wonder if feeling "wronged" by others is a product of my own imagination?  I wonder if I am finally getting to the point that I can see those feelings of being wronged by others as just what they are--not justified, but manufactured in my own head? Wouldn't that be a tremendous gift from God?  So, today I feel greatly blessed by all in my life and that includes all of you!  And that is worth praising God! Love, heidi

Love creatively...

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord."

Leviticus 19:18

 

This morning, on Pray-as-you-go, they said, "The law of Moses is the law of love."  And it is so true.  We think of the "laws" as binding rules and statutes to keep us in line, but, actually, the law Moses received from God is just about treating each other lovingly.  These steps may not come naturally to human beings, unfortunately, so having them spelled out was necessary.  P-A-Y-G also said that the love we express to others is uniquely gifted to us first.  In other words, we are all called to love in our own unique, creative way. That is interesting to ponder as we begin our first full week of Lent.  How are we called today to love creatively? What gifts have we been given that we can share with our fellow travelers on The Way? Let's love each other today, Friends, in our own special ways.  Love, heidi