40 days of Lent - Still working on it

Today's thought -

March 1 (Happy Birthday Mom!) -  A couple of weeks ago, you practiced, repentance and asked for forgiveness and reconciliation.  How's that going?  Spend some time in thoughtful prayer.

The February 18 Lenten thought was the thought they are referring to, you might want to re-read it - I just did, and I have personally been praying a lot more since I started this Lenten blog.  Mainly because I keep reminding myself by just writing this.  I pray on, think about, mull around in my head before writing this each day; and it has opened my mind to many things, including repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation, but I have a long way to go. 

I still hold on to some old ways of thinking and that's my downfall.  That's why I like this Lenten Spring Cleaning - because it doesn't dwell so much in the dark dirge part of lent, but throws open the windows and lets the light and fresh air in.   

This Lent I have been thrown in the washer, yes I have been agitated a bit with myself, but that's what helps to loosen the stains, then I am rinsed with the forgiveness of God. 

So I am still praying on and working on repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation - I hope you are to.

40 days of Lent - Repentance

Today's Lenten message from the UCC calendar is little more difficult than some of the previous messages.

February 18 - Lent is a season of repentance.  Look at your life.  Is there something you are sorry for?  Ask God for forgiveness, and after that, move on to human reconciliation.

According to Wikipedia - Repentance is the activity of reviewing one's actions and feeling contrition or regret for past wrongs. It generally involves a commitment to personal change and resolving to live a more responsible and humane life.

Lent is perfect time to look inward and see what changes need to be made.  The first half of the message is reflective - look at your life, is there something you are sorry for.  I know I am sorry about a few things, some of which I have apologized for along the way.  The easy part  is to ask God for forgiveness.  That is because we have a great God who is loving, kind and forgives us when we ask.  Human reconciliation on the other hand, is a lot more difficult.  You have to face the person and not know if you will receive forgiveness, you have no idea what reaction will come out of it.  Makes you appreciate God a little more.

My Lenten Devotional for today offers a wonderful prayer for this situation.  If you find yourself in need of it today or in the future, use it.  Sometimes becoming a better person takes little steps at a time.  One deed at a time, one act of repentance at a time.

Lord, if I have been the cause of anyone's suffering, show it to me. And make me strong enough to apologize, then set it right. Amen