Ash Valentine

 It's Valentine's day! Yay! Let's dream of love and romance and all the things we need to make a relationship last...

It's Ash Wednesday! Yay! Let's dream of love and sacrifice and all the things we need to make a relationship last...

My mum (age 95) plans to walk five times around the garden each day during Lent. She's going to give up chocolate too.

My pastor will give up after-the-sermon chats.

And me? I know I'm dreaming of love today--the earthly love of a spouse caring for me when I've broken my wrist--the heavenly love of my creator who came to earth to live in a human body--the love that shines on a cloudy day, glints warmth from snow, reigns hope.

For Lent, I'll try to remember I'm not in control (of the weather, politics, global warming, human sexuality, or anything else that everyone talks about). Neither is anyone else. I'll try to remember there's a God who will make it all work out. And I'll love my neighbor, whatever they look, sound, live or love like. I'll remind myself, God made us all, and God came to earth to live with us all. God loves all my neighbors! And, most surprising of all, God loves me!

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