March 31, 2023

website admin2023 Lenten Devotional

Prompt thought of the week:

Sometimes the things we think offer love actually seek to bind us, preventing us from being full and whole and offering our best love to the world. The story of Lazarus, whose funeral shrouds trail him out of the tomb, offer us a metaphor of new life as we recognize that true love is that which unbinds us, that wants for us more, not less, freedom and life. Jesus says to us, “Come out!” Walk! Live! Love! Shed your funeral clothes and offer your deepest self, your deepest love, for the world. Of course this kind of love can be dangerous, as we will see as the events of Holy Week loom closer. But the price of continuing to look for love in the wrong places is higher than the blessing of life lived boldly.


I am fortunate to have always felt loved!  First by parents, family, and then by my church family.  My grandmother sang while she worked, and songs I remember hearing are “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world …”  Jesus loves me, this I know…” and “You are my sunshine…”  If my grandma said it, then it must be true and so I believed that I was loved!

Through all the shadows of my life, I’ve never felt alone – someone was beside me to comfort me “I will not leave you comfortless…”  The presence of Christ was there; but also the love of friends.  During the COVID pandemic when my husband, Ward, died, I could feel the prayers and virtual hugs from church family.  It was a visceral sensation like being held in a warm blanket of love.  

Other everyday ways I feel God’s love are in the nudges sent my way:  “check for your keys before locking the door;”  “you should give _____ a call, she’s been lonely lately;”  “why not take some of that soup to someone grieving, sad or lonely.”  All I need to do is listen!

“I have created you and cared for you since you were born.  I will be your God through all your lifetime … even when your hair is white with age…I will carry your along and be your Savior” (Isaiah 46:3-4)   We love because God first loved us!  We are never alone because God is either walking along side us or carrying us over the rough places.  

Prayer:  Creator God, help me remember that your love is always near.  Help me look for ways that you show your love every day.   Amen

Barbara Thompson