Lenten Writing Project Reboot 2020! Writers' Reflections in the Wilderness of Lent
Words of Faith
Spirit to Spirit Writing Project
The word Lentcomes from an old English word meaning lengthening of days. In Christianity, it refers to the time before Easter, traditionally observed through repentance and learning. It's a season to be intentional about changing and growing. Some people give up items to create space and time for new life and habits to grow. Instead of giving something up, I invite you to try to commit to answering these writing prompts each of the 40 days of Lent. The discipline it takes to set aside time each day to reflect and write about God and your relationship with spirituality is a journey that you will emerge from with a renewed spirit. Every writer has their own special voice to add to this project, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists, or through comments, prayer, and encouragement.
How do I participate? Each day, a writing prompt will be posted. A prompt is a question or statement that is meant to inspire your thoughts in whatever genre you feel moved to write. Post your reflections as a comment under each day's prompt (for further instructions, see 'How To Post' on the right side of the page). It is up to you if you write, read, or pray along with us each of the 40 days of Lent or just drop in from time to time when the spirit moves you to participate. Writing regularly is a discipline that many writers struggle with and this is a way to involve that discipline as a Lenten practice. Through writing and leaving encouraging words for others in this project, we become a supportive spiritual writing community
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Dear Me,
Lenten Writing Prompt #13
Write a loving, compassionate, hopeful letter from 'you' now to yourself at a difficult time in the past. You can go back as far as you want : )
So I’m tellin’ ya that went pretty well. When the ER was alerted things got dicey. The initial info coulda been a welcome to hell. CVA on Knott Road and China Hat painful, pricey!
Officer on scene reported five kids involved. T-boned crossing the street, More help you summoned as thoughts evolved. Got another chaplain on deck, load to meet.
Fatalities went from scene to funeral home. Hurt kids treated first in the ER. Once ID’d, made the calls on the phone. “Need you at the hospital, bring a friend in the car.”
Extra hands in the triage room you gave. Sorting clothes for ID, info needed. Got the wallets let staff know with a wave. Looked up home numbers, calls proceeded.
Soon determined patients could be handled. Sent my buddy chaplain home to rest. Attended most hurt into ICU, gently not manhandled. Graveyard shift came on to give their best.
Active kids out on a lark for the night, Met with disaster, driver distracted. Watchful caregivers responded to the sight, Gave lives a chance to recover, pains subtracted.
You brought Word Made Flesh’s presence. Calm hope included in the busy fray. Smile, atta girl bump, extra thanks, like incense, Spiritual infusion a destressor on the tray.
Debrief went well, team embraced your work. Clear message of thanks; extended a well done. “Glad to have the candy box, besides you’re not a jerk.” Hope the next case goes as well, always serious never fun.
Remember your confirmation verse? “I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.” I hope you see the strength in that verse, and how it has been a guiding light for your life.
You used to worry so much about your sin. You used to think that somehow you needed to stop sinning, and you got so frustrated when you failed. You didn’t fail. You just needed to lean on my forgiveness and love more. Remember that day when you were reading the book How to be a Christian without Being Religious, and you got so excited, and said, “Oh, I’m a sinner, but Jesus died for sinners.” I don’t think I ever saw someone happier about discovering their sinful nature. You still think about that day and you still treasure my precious forgiveness.
I was happy too! In fact we had a huge party for you. The angels and I had tears running down our cheeks and we danced for joy. We got so loud that Saint Peter told us to be quiet – he still takes an afternoon nap. But when he found out why we were celebrating, he joined in, and opened a bottle of wine he had snuck out from the Wedding in Cana – there was plenty left over.
So I guess I would tell you to keep celebrating and rejoicing in my forgiveness and love. And on those days when you feel frustrated with the mean people in the world, keep sharing the message and keep offering my forgiveness. It will change the world.
Today you are loved and blessed. So many times your heart has broken, and you thought love was lost. But today God has blessed you with new hope, shining possibilities, and deeper love.
Remember the year, 5th grade it was, when you thought you had no friends, and you hid in the woods behind a log and cried, because no one understood you? But your best friend Corinne searched and found you, hugged you, and promised that she did understand you, and she would always be your friend.
Remember the year after you moved, and you finally made new friends, and learned to hide your deepest thoughts so you could fit in, and then your parents announced that the family was moving again, leaving your comfort zone? Your teenage heart rebelled and you felt devastated and bereft. But some months later, you found deeper understanding in a new place.
Remember the time your heart broke when your first baby daughter died? You thought you could never love another child the way you loved your first-born Lori. But some time later your daughter Elizabeth entered your life. As you first held her, you saw the long line of amazing women stretching back through yourself, your mother, grandmother, and over the generations of women preceding you, and love lived again. Soon your twins were born, and love tripled many times over.
Remember this. Every time you suffered a loss, God provided circumstances to lift you up and lead you to something better. Remember every time, when you hit bottom, God was there with you, as you learned to rise up. Remember, every time, God is with you, preparing you for the next best thing. God continues to bless you with new hope, shining possibilities, and deeper love.
I attended a funeral 2 weeks ago for a 26 year old who had struggled with cancer for 8 years. She had just started to live and it was taken from her. I struggle with sadness and angry about this. Thank you for your words - they help me see healing in the struggle.
Lookin’ Good
ReplyDeleteSo I’m tellin’ ya that went pretty well.
When the ER was alerted things got dicey.
The initial info coulda been a welcome to hell.
CVA on Knott Road and China Hat painful, pricey!
Officer on scene reported five kids involved.
T-boned crossing the street,
More help you summoned as thoughts evolved.
Got another chaplain on deck, load to meet.
Fatalities went from scene to funeral home.
Hurt kids treated first in the ER.
Once ID’d, made the calls on the phone.
“Need you at the hospital, bring a friend in the car.”
Extra hands in the triage room you gave.
Sorting clothes for ID, info needed.
Got the wallets let staff know with a wave.
Looked up home numbers, calls proceeded.
Soon determined patients could be handled.
Sent my buddy chaplain home to rest.
Attended most hurt into ICU, gently not manhandled.
Graveyard shift came on to give their best.
Active kids out on a lark for the night,
Met with disaster, driver distracted.
Watchful caregivers responded to the sight,
Gave lives a chance to recover, pains subtracted.
You brought Word Made Flesh’s presence.
Calm hope included in the busy fray.
Smile, atta girl bump, extra thanks, like incense,
Spiritual infusion a destressor on the tray.
Debrief went well, team embraced your work.
Clear message of thanks; extended a well done.
“Glad to have the candy box, besides you’re not a jerk.”
Hope the next case goes as well, always serious never fun.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
27.2.13
Dear me,
ReplyDeleteRemember your confirmation verse? “I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.” I hope you see the strength in that verse, and how it has been a guiding light for your life.
You used to worry so much about your sin. You used to think that somehow you needed to stop sinning, and you got so frustrated when you failed. You didn’t fail. You just needed to lean on my forgiveness and love more. Remember that day when you were reading the book How to be a Christian without Being Religious, and you got so excited, and said, “Oh, I’m a sinner, but Jesus died for sinners.” I don’t think I ever saw someone happier about discovering their sinful nature. You still think about that day and you still treasure my precious forgiveness.
I was happy too! In fact we had a huge party for you. The angels and I had tears running down our cheeks and we danced for joy. We got so loud that Saint Peter told us to be quiet – he still takes an afternoon nap. But when he found out why we were celebrating, he joined in, and opened a bottle of wine he had snuck out from the Wedding in Cana – there was plenty left over.
So I guess I would tell you to keep celebrating and rejoicing in my forgiveness and love. And on those days when you feel frustrated with the mean people in the world, keep sharing the message and keep offering my forgiveness. It will change the world.
Joel Lohafer
nicely done. how precious the forgiven life.
Deleteronaldo
Thank you Joel.
DeleteDear Me,
ReplyDeleteToday you are loved and blessed. So many times your heart has broken, and you thought love was lost. But today God has blessed you with new hope, shining possibilities, and deeper love.
Remember the year, 5th grade it was, when you thought you had no friends, and you hid in the woods behind a log and cried, because no one understood you? But your best friend Corinne searched and found you, hugged you, and promised that she did understand you, and she would always be your friend.
Remember the year after you moved, and you finally made new friends, and learned to hide your deepest thoughts so you could fit in, and then your parents announced that the family was moving again, leaving your comfort zone? Your teenage heart rebelled and you felt devastated and bereft. But some months later, you found deeper understanding in a new place.
Remember the time your heart broke when your first baby daughter died? You thought you could never love another child the way you loved your first-born Lori. But some time later your daughter Elizabeth entered your life. As you first held her, you saw the long line of amazing women stretching back through yourself, your mother, grandmother, and over the generations of women preceding you, and love lived again. Soon your twins were born, and love tripled many times over.
Remember this. Every time you suffered a loss, God provided circumstances to lift you up and lead you to something better. Remember every time, when you hit bottom, God was there with you, as you learned to rise up. Remember, every time, God is with you, preparing you for the next best thing. God continues to bless you with new hope, shining possibilities, and deeper love.
With Jesus’ love,
Me
power of the female well stated. such a heart and spirit!
Deleteronaldo
I attended a funeral 2 weeks ago for a 26 year old who had struggled with cancer for 8 years. She had just started to live and it was taken from her. I struggle with sadness and angry about this. Thank you for your words - they help me see healing in the struggle.
DeleteJoel
ohhhhhhhhh...
ReplyDelete