Prayer--of Doubt, of Love
Lent, a time of reflection, of examination, of giving up the baggage of the past to make room for what is to come; is hard to understand. It's easy to give up something for Lent--desserts, sodas, eating fast food, or whatever. The hard part is giving up patterns of doubt, fear, defeat, prejudice, hatred, failings . . . the things we hide from the light of our lives.
We run from what we fear. We run from the truth we don't want to see. We run from the cost of love. Yet, our Lord ran from none of these. Our brother, Jesus, walked this earthly life touching lives all around him--willing to bear the cost. He knew what lay ahead. He knew the cost. He knew the payoff . . . forgiveness, reconciliation, and true love.
It seems our world explodes around us with hurt, pain, violence, and destruction. People die . . . because of the color of their skin . . . because of their faith . . . because of fear that they are different than what we think they should be.
Running from the fears that pursue me
I pant as fear pours from my pores
Leaping, hurdling, skirting the edges . . .
Constantly moving in hope to evade those who wish me harm
Their words assault my senses, my confidence, my being
Am I who they say I am?
Am I a person of no worth?
Am I worthy of love?
I pause . . . resting . . . listening for their disparagement
All I hear around me is the sound of my own fear
I hear silence between my gasps for breath
Slowly, ever slowly the quiet grows
Glancing from place to place I fear the accusers
While quiet slowly wraps me in loving arms
Calming in the silence a quiet voice resonates
Its strength and love flows within me
I still myself and listen
You are my child . . . I created you for love, for good
Love as I love you . . . touch others in my love
Stand with the least . . . stand with the lost . . . stand with all
Embody my love . . . embody my grace . . . embody my heart
Peace filled my soul
Fear faded
I turned and faced the accusers . . .
And loved them
God, teach us to love. Teach us to look beyond our differences to what we are created to be . . . your children . . . your light . . . your love. Help us to stand with one another; to stand up for one another. Teach us to look beyond what we see or have been taught to see to the soul of each person. Teach us, to love.
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