It's Lent. Again!

Relationship, Spiritual Growth Mindset and a Pure Heart on the Journey

Every Friday in the Liturgy of the Hours and throughout Lent, we as the Church knock on God’s door with the words of Psalm 51:

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.
In your compassion blot out my offence.
O wash me more and more from my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.           

At one time in my journey these words used to rub me the wrong way – I resisted the thought of being guilty and doing things that offended God that would require some type of cleansing. Maybe a result of living in a relativist culture that sees guilt as irrelevant because ‘anything can be right if you believe it to be’ or maybe just because of the “pride of youth”.  Over time and with more life experience I have come to realize that as good as we think we are, with our imperfect human nature – there are bound to be times when we purposely choose our way over God’s way – which is what the Church calls sin.  When we choose something imperfect, less than full goodness and perfection – it’s an offense to our relationship with God because He is all good and all loving. Being perfect as God is perfect is such a high bar to reach (Jesus asked us to aim for that in Matthew 5:48) – but is worth the effort of trying.  Really!?  Well, that’s where a Spiritual Growth Mindset comes in.  As we navigate the ‘not yet’ without giving up…the journey brings us strategies and teaches us so much. By the time we arrive at our final destination – our eternal home – we will have done our best (with God’s grace) to become the child of God we were given the potential to be.

Going back to my resistant younger self – what happened that helped me embrace my fallen nature and admit I need and want God’s kindness and mercy? Looking back, I can see that God used different people and circumstances to really cement the core belief of God’s unconditional love for me.  He doesn’t just love me (and you!) in spite of our brokenness and sin, He loves and holds all aspects of ourselves. Even the parts that hurt Him and that he calls us to change. Like children needing secure attachments and ‘bottom hands’ to hold them in life – I found my secure attachment in Christ – the one who never leaves me, never stops loving me…even when I mess up.  It’s that relationship that helps me see the reality of who I am, ALL aspects, and it’s that loving relationship that makes it possible for me to bare my brokenness to Him and ask for His kindness and mercy to “blot out my offenses”. His love gives me confidence to start anew with a pure heart that can hopefully see Him more and more…thus deepening my relationship with Him and those I serve.

A pure heart create for me, O God,
put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
nor deprive me of your holy spirit. (Psalm 51:3) 

This Lent I continue to knock on God’s door for purity of heart and for grace to fill the gaps in myself that keep me from being the generous, loving and merciful person I am called to be. I pray for a strengthening of my spiritual growth mindset as I travel this journey and run into both joys and difficulties. What about you?  What are you knocking on God’s door for during this Lenten season?

Have you ever wondered at the different types of love?

According to St. Thomas Aquinas, "Love wills the good of the other".  And within our life experience we know of many types of love where we'd do anything, no matter the cost, that's in the best interest of the ones we love. Some would say there are 4 types of love (eros, agape, filial, storge) and I agree but I feel like there are many facets within each type.  And these facets are like beautiful parts of a gem - unique depending on the person I share it with and how the light of love shines through.  That is what is behind my lyrics from "Take Time to Wonder":

"Have you ever wondered at the different types of love, unique like diamonds and pearls?
Have you ever wondered at the love shown on the Cross? God drawing us back to Him, no matter what the cost?" Listen here  

We also know that God IS love. He is the Source of all Love and Light.  For the good of ALL of us, for our eternal happiness and fulfillment, "...He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life". John 3:16

Spending most of my career as an elementary school teacher - Valentine's Day has always been a special time of celebrating friendship and taking the opportunity to offer a little extra kindness to one another.  Plus the sugar, poems, games and excitement are always fun too :)  As Christians and people of good will - we are called to share God's love with the world, all types and facets with those around us. Like I would encourage my young students to see Valentine's as a celebration of more than romantic love, I encourage you to ponder the different facets of love you enjoy in your life now and show your gratitude.  It never hurts to share a little of your heart and be kind, right?

Happy Valentines to all who have touched my heart - especially my family, friends who feel like family and all I have been blessed to both love and be loved by (including students and colleagues!). 

"If you've touched my heart, you have a place to stay".  From my song "You Have A Place" Listen here