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
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Animal Teachers
Describe a lesson on compassion or strengthening of your faith that you have recieved from an animal friend.
Your purpose of life is to have a ball Throw it outside, downstairs and into the hall Never fear it won’t be found I won’t give up ‘til I’ve brought it ‘round. Let’s play. Let’s play, come on, come on. Throw it again, pleeeease; and I’ll be gone.
Why come outside here, if not to throw? I’ll drop it in the ball thrower, but don’t go. Watch, play and stay, enjoy the game This is life so sweet, be glad you came. Lola Obie
Pizza, pizza is what it’s all about Savory, spicy slices, I do not doubt That we’re meant to have this yummy pay For guarding the kitchen night and day Left out on the cupboard, it might be wasted if a long neck and nose didn’t bring it out to be tasted.
Okay, I confess, I didn’t have permission That surely doesn’t mean I’ll rot in perdition Let’s pray, lead us not into more temptation Next time you might try me with a different flavor sensation. Zipper Murray
Slippers, our seven year old cat, arrived when GG Roald welcomed her. The Ophthalmic office staff had given her foster care. Without permanent name, she arrived prior to Thanksgiving with a gentle purr. Family consensus looked her over, four white feet, her name did bear.
Naomi, our younger daughter, brings our grand-dog on each visit. A street rescue, handsome Australian shepherd-mix, commands the room. Big boisterous bark announces any visitor, baritone exquisite. When an ambulance wails, Pele’s song will open any tomb.
Katie, the elder, true cat, came from her beloved owner’s home. An allergic, soon-to-be-stepson, required a transition be made. At fourteen, she makes her delicate way, not far to roam, Bestowing queenly benison whenever a serious lap’s laid.
These three create our homestead into a pack, a pride. Whichever takes the lead gets to call the shots. A lively conspiracy flows through the day, many an aside. Meal time, especially holy, ample fair distributed in pots.
Slippers assumes the matrons role, teach all to hunt. Her favorite prey, birds that flit by the full feeders. Spayed, she has no kitten brood, to whom her skills shunt, Many a surprised, live, ex-raptor, deposited near quiet readers.
Pele assumes that a fine butt scratch can be had for the asking. Any dish finished by a human, must be safely claimed, licked. When sunshine fills the yard, he will soak up rays, basking. His joyful presence announced, feet across the floor clicked.
Katie assumes a regal demeanor, truly asks us to attend. Her kindly, queenly, way would have us meet her needs. Gray, rabbit fur, kept soft, into an available lap, she’ll descend. Physical touch allowed at her limits, her intimacy feeds.
These diverse, delightful creatures bring out our domestic side. Each teaches the importance of inter-species interaction. We are a household in which Creator’s richness does abide. Without them our love quotient would only be a fraction.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div. 13 March 2013
Dog Talk
ReplyDeleteby Marlene Obie
Your purpose of life is to have a ball
Throw it outside, downstairs and into the hall
Never fear it won’t be found
I won’t give up ‘til I’ve brought it ‘round.
Let’s play. Let’s play, come on, come on.
Throw it again, pleeeease; and I’ll be gone.
Why come outside here, if not to throw?
I’ll drop it in the ball thrower, but don’t go.
Watch, play and stay, enjoy the game
This is life so sweet, be glad you came.
Lola Obie
Pizza, pizza is what it’s all about
Savory, spicy slices, I do not doubt
That we’re meant to have this yummy pay
For guarding the kitchen night and day
Left out on the cupboard, it might be wasted
if a long neck and nose didn’t bring it out to be tasted.
Okay, I confess, I didn’t have permission
That surely doesn’t mean I’ll rot in perdition
Let’s pray, lead us not into more temptation
Next time you might try me with a different flavor sensation.
Zipper Murray
What fun! Your family is complete.
Deleteronaldo
Very fun Marlene!
DeleteSlippers, Katie & Pele
ReplyDeleteSlippers, our seven year old cat, arrived when GG Roald welcomed her.
The Ophthalmic office staff had given her foster care.
Without permanent name, she arrived prior to Thanksgiving with a gentle purr.
Family consensus looked her over, four white feet, her name did bear.
Naomi, our younger daughter, brings our grand-dog on each visit.
A street rescue, handsome Australian shepherd-mix, commands the room.
Big boisterous bark announces any visitor, baritone exquisite.
When an ambulance wails, Pele’s song will open any tomb.
Katie, the elder, true cat, came from her beloved owner’s home.
An allergic, soon-to-be-stepson, required a transition be made.
At fourteen, she makes her delicate way, not far to roam,
Bestowing queenly benison whenever a serious lap’s laid.
These three create our homestead into a pack, a pride.
Whichever takes the lead gets to call the shots.
A lively conspiracy flows through the day, many an aside.
Meal time, especially holy, ample fair distributed in pots.
Slippers assumes the matrons role, teach all to hunt.
Her favorite prey, birds that flit by the full feeders.
Spayed, she has no kitten brood, to whom her skills shunt,
Many a surprised, live, ex-raptor, deposited near quiet readers.
Pele assumes that a fine butt scratch can be had for the asking.
Any dish finished by a human, must be safely claimed, licked.
When sunshine fills the yard, he will soak up rays, basking.
His joyful presence announced, feet across the floor clicked.
Katie assumes a regal demeanor, truly asks us to attend.
Her kindly, queenly, way would have us meet her needs.
Gray, rabbit fur, kept soft, into an available lap, she’ll descend.
Physical touch allowed at her limits, her intimacy feeds.
These diverse, delightful creatures bring out our domestic side.
Each teaches the importance of inter-species interaction.
We are a household in which Creator’s richness does abide.
Without them our love quotient would only be a fraction.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
13 March 2013