What’s Love Got to Do With It?

What’s Love Got to Do With It?

“When each day is the same as the next, it’s because people fail to recognize the good things that happen in their lives every day that the sun rises.” ~ Paulo Coelho

 

There’s no such thing as an ordinary day but I love Wednesdays! Every Wednesday afternoon I have the incredible privilege of picking my youngest grandson up from school. I look forward to it all week. He’s usually ravenous by 3:00 so I plan ahead to make sure I have a favorite snack in my bag. He loves peanut butter and cheese crackers and string cheese so I usually bring him both. Or, if it’s a nice day we head over to our favorite drive-through and get him a vanilla shake. Man, that’s living!

 

My reward is his incessant chatter. His banter is hilarious. And, it’s sacred music to me. The minute we get in the car he rattles on about the events of the day and chatters about all the things on his 9-year-old mind. I just love it! Nine is such a great age. Third grade was my favorite ever. At that point in life everything is new and exciting and it’s still cool to be enthused.

 

Next, we drop off his book bag at home and say hello to his dogs. They’re overjoyed to see him of course and wild with excitement. All too soon I drop him off at his buddy’s house where he’ll hang out til it’s time to go to their religious ed class. His friend’s mom taxis that leg of the afternoon. Poof! It’s over so fast but it brightens my day every time like the sunshine after a rain and the joy spills into the rest of the week.

 

My nine-year-old self is so excited!

 

Like my little guy, I’m bursting with things I want to share with you and it takes all I have to contain my excitement. Much was written this week about the fact that Ash Wednesday fell on Valentine’s Day. It set up a conundrum for lots of folks. Do we fast instead of feasting? Do we wear ashes and contemplate or go out and celebrate?

 

But for me, there’s another layer of fascination. Guess what else? Easter Sunday happens to fall on April 1 this year! That’s my birthday and that’s never happened in my entire life! The last time was in 1945 when Harry Truman was president! So, this season of Lent  has gained personal significance because of the unique timing. I encourage you to consider embracing it for it’s rarity as well.

 

Over the next six weeks we’ll see many changes. Each day will bring us a few more minutes of sunshine. For most of the country, Daylight Savings time will begin and don’t you love a bit more precious daylight after work? We’ll see the first day of spring. We’ll witness the rebirth of nature as she grows greener and adorns herself with the first blossoms of the season. New life will be everywhere. Lambs and calves will begin dotting pens and pastures.

 

Lent is an opportunity for us to grow too!

 

Lent has been given a bad rap at times as simply a season of sacrifice and giving up pleasure but in truth, it’s so much more than that! It’s not about doing without, it’s about looking within and it’s less about lack and more about love. It’s not about external,  it’s about eternal. And, it’s about finding out what really matters.

 

Lent is a time to focus on the extraordinary miracle that is you. You are a miracle and you are loved. Never has there been another like you since time began. You were created for a role no one else can fill but you. You have been given gifts and abilities in the precise amount to fulfill your divine purpose and now is the time for you to know it. Ready for an exciting field trip? Let’s get going. See you Monday!