Lenten Devotional
Image by Rebecca K Photography
By Laura Stevens, Trinity United Methodist Church
I was in sixth grade in the afternoon and in math class. We had a really nice young teacher and we were talking about when you use the word “and” in large numbers and in dates. We had just been talking about dates that morning with our social studies teacher, Mrs. Ahrens, —she seemed as old as Methuselah and was cold and cranky. We were all scared of her. We were getting ready for a Thanksgiving program where dates would be given. That afternoon I realized Mrs. Ahrens did not say the dates “correctly,” and I blurted out, “Maybe Mrs. Ahrens needs reviewing.” Everyone laughed including my teacher. But she told Mrs. Ahrens what had been said. The next time we were together with her Mrs. Ahrens talked angrily about the incident and blamed a nice young classmate, Ken. I listened with horror. I sat silent but when I went home for lunch, I told my parents. They told me to do the “right” thing so that afternoon I told Mrs. Ahrens the truth that it had been me instead of Ken. She was furious. But I felt better and Ken was delighted. I saw him years later at our high school’s 25th reunion and remembered the incident. It was a lesson in being careful what you blurt out and always, as the Bible teaches us, tell the truth.
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By Lisa Nielsen, Trinity United Methodist Church
God wants us to be whole – whole with him in our lives, and whole within ourselves, which we consider as his love that shines through us. We are called to be the Light of God in our beliefs and in our actions, which include all aspects of individuality: personality, interests, work, relationships, and more. To understand the significance of light in an unconventional way, here are scientific facts to consider:
What are the rays of light of your identity that you may be needing to shine with the light of Christ? By Kathy Young, Trinity United Methodist Church
I was raised in the United Methodist Church to know that God is a loving God, that all people are created in His image; and that if one believed in God and led a good life, in the end, one would ascend to heaven and eternal life would be granted. With each year, I knew that I was different. At 16 years old, I figured out why. I was gay. I still subscribed to my early beliefs, but depending on what or who I consulted, the preaching seemed to change and my new reality was now troublesome. It was the early 80s and many gay people lived “in the closet.” I would be graduating from college soon, seeking a career in law enforcement. How would I choose to live my life? Would I be out and open or would I attempt to live two lives, hiding the real me from others? Would I choose light or darkness? God created me to be gay – this was His plan. I did not choose my sexuality any more than others chose theirs. What was God’s purpose for me? Was it to hide and to live in darkness – or – dare I live in the light, and follow my earlier-installed beliefs? By 18, I chose the latter - for my God is a loving God. We must all join the battle of life to carry our own loads for our purpose is unknown. Hiding in the darkness, doubtfully, will be a way to fulfill that purpose. As LGBTQ individuals, we don’t have to be activists, but we can simply participate fully by serving our country, our community, and being a good neighbor. This positive example, hopefully, will contribute to paving an easier path for others to follow and contribute to our diverse society. By Mary Jo Bartolacci, Brown St. United Methodist Church This photo hangs above my desk. I shot it while on a hike in north Georgia a few years ago. Ever since, I’ve been listening to the story the tree has been telling me about itself and its crooked pathway to the light. I’ve imagined its quirky and difficult struggles. What brought about all those dead lower branches? That striking wrong-way turn? And what happened to cause it to reverse course and reach up toward the sun again? I’ve come to see that the story the tree tells is of second chances. It speaks of my own story of brokenness, grace, and forgiveness. God be with us as we both continue to grow. A Prayer by Pastor Tracey Leslie
Gracious Lord, when we were children, sin seemed so easy to define: don’t fib, don’t push, don’t call other children names. But Jesus, your teaching went so much deeper. Sin is also that which we hide in the darkness, that which is pretentious and disingenuous. O you who are The Way, The Truth, and The Life, we have so much to learn this Lenten season! Teach us wisdom to walk in the light that is you. Teach us courage to seek truth even if what we see makes us uncomfortable. How thankful we are that you came not to condemn us, but to save us. Save us, Lord Jesus. Amen. By Pastor Tracey Leslie, Trinity United Methodist Church
What is a word you’d use to describe “wilderness?” One I’d use is isolating. We all know a lot about that these days, right? Some of you know I have had multiple eye surgeries over the years. Some of my most intense feelings of isolation follow these surgeries. There’s just something about not being able to see that causes me to feel cut off from the world. By Emily Kuehl, Trinity United Methodist Church
A short time into my first year, my college roommate decided to move back home. Though sad to see her go, I was also elated; the dorm room was not large to say the least. Suddenly free from any compromises like my music volume or what time to shut off the lights, I eagerly awaited what this new phase had in store. Not long after, my excitement about a room to myself and starting college turned to disappointment and anxiety. I struggled to find real friends among acquaintances. There were people to sit by in class, but no one to help unpack personal obstacles. Most days after class, I had little to do but go back to my silent dorm - back to solitude. By Laura Stevens, Trinity United Methodist Church
It was a very dark and rainy night. It was supposed to have been a happy time with friends at the Purdue Christmas Show at 3:30 that afternoon. I knew that this could be problematic for me because I’ve had chronic fatigue syndrome since I was 17 and that time of day was my worst. Things did not go well. We sat close to the stage and the loud music and visual stimuli compounded my fatigue. After the show ended we had to wait and wait for our driver because of all the traffic to pick us up to take us to dinner. It was raining and we had to stand by the buses and their noxious fumes added to my feeling crummy. I was physically and mentally exhausted. I decided there was no way I could cope with dinner so I asked our host to drop me back at his house where I had left my car. I was eager to get home and eat and get my medicine so I got in my car. It was so dark I got confused and drove off the road into a gulley. I asked God to help me and He did. A couple drove by, saw my predicament and invited me into their house. They called a wrecker and when it came, I went out to wait until they pulled my car out. A young man seemed to appear out of nowhere and reassured me that I was going to be okay. Once my car was out I asked the wrecker if I could follow him home to my house to light the road. Once I got home I realized I didn’t have my garage door opener and had trouble finding my key because I had not left the porch light on. I finally found it and I was able to get in and get some food and my medicine. I began to feel much better and decided a couple of things. First, God had been with me in my “wilderness” and helped me find the right people who could assist me. Second, I vowed never to drive in the dark again. Third, I vowed to pass on future Christmas Shows! By Ruth Smith, Trinity United Methodist Church Sometimes the kids and I take advantage of good weather and take our art supplies to the park. This was one of those days, perfect for spending an hour or two outside instead of sitting inside doing bookwork. I was excited about artmaking together. You wouldn’t know it from my drawing, but most of the hour we spent next to the river was full of complaining, frustrated yelling, and testy outbursts tempered only by the fact we were in public. I am ashamed of the way I spoke to my kids that day, more concerned about my expectations and what I wanted than to what they were trying to communicate to me. Mark 1:9-15 Prayer by Pastor Suzanne Clemenz, Trinity United Methodist Church Dear Loving God, we thank you for the journey of Lent. We thank you for this time to slow down, to turn inward, to seek you and to listen for your voice. We thank you for the journey of Jesus, and for the way that he kept his eyes squarely on the Father. We pray for eyes that are able to see like Jesus. Especially when life does not go the way that we want, when we are hurt and discouraged and not able to discern the way ahead, shape our hearts to trust in your goodness and faithfulness, and to recognize the angels in our midst. Amen. Image by Tracey Leslie |
Lent 2021Welcome to Lent 2021. The focus of this devotional booklet is the question: What Do You See? Archives
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