Lent-Day 10
Lent 2010: A Season for Listening
2/27/10-Day 10
A Weekend Reflection
“Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.- Isaiah 30:15
Congratulations! We are one quarter of the way through our Lenten journey. You should be proud that you have come so far. If you have struggled and stumbled along the way, do not linger on it, get up and start again.
Of all the disciplines the practice of rest is among the most difficult and perhaps the chief needful thing in our lives. You are exhausted and worn. The activities of the week have taken all that you have. Before you can give anything more to God or anyone else, you must be quiet and rest. You need to allow all the toxins and stress a chance to breakdown and leave you.
We need at least an hour of dark silence to allow our mind, body and sprits to breath. As we exhale we will allow all the worries and frustrations to leave us.
As we inhale we become filled with the healing presence of the Holy Spirit.
We do not try to speak to God in this time of returning.
We do not try to think about our prayer concerns or needs in this hour.
We simply are quite and still in the presence of God.
Content and safe we feel ourselves become calm and relaxed.
It is now that we feel the strength of being held in God’s arms.
Today we will do the work of preparation for the coming Sabbath.
Tomorrow we will do no work.
Today we will prepare the meals.
Tomorrow we will eat without hurry, enjoying the feast already made.
Today we will lie out our clothes.
Tomorrow we will put on the strength of God.
Today we will pray and study.
Tomorrow we will go and only worship God with our families of faith.
Today we budget frugally.
Tomorrow we give an offering freely.
Today we will do our chores.
Tomorrow we will rest and be quiet before God.
Today we speak.
Tomorrow we listen.
Today the sun sets on our fatigued bodies.
Tomorrow the Son rises in our spirits.
Today we exhale.
Tomorrow we shall be inspired. – Rev. John Mattox
Let us pray,
Lord, Most Holy One,
In you we trust.
Let us have our rest in you,
so that we may find strength in you
for the days and work ahead
You are our rock and our salvation.
Thank you Lord. Amen
-Rev. Katie Mattox