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
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Need
What can you learn about compassion from people in need? Tell about an situation where you learned about your own compassion - or theirs - from someone who was in a position of need.
I once met a man who lived in a tent. He wasn’t going to eat supper that night because if he did he would have to go to the bathroom and that wasn’t so easy living in a tent.
I once met a woman who had very little. We spontaneously gave her seventy five dollars. She then spontaneously gave it away to someone who she knew who she thought ‘really’ needed it.
Once I received a gift and I knew the giver had much less wealth than me. I wanted to say ‘no’ but I took it because it was a gift from the heart and I wanted to honor that heart.
Once a man stopped me and told me he appreciated my writing. I wanted to tell him ‘no… I enjoy writing.’ but it seemed important for him to tell me so I simply listened and he moved me.
Once I cleared a table at a homeless shelter. A man came and took hold a chair then turned and looked me square in the eye and softly said ‘thank you’. His connection and appreciation commanded my attention “You’re welcome, thank you”
Once during a presentation to a group of Jr High Students one particular student who always fought for attention blurted out that another student had been missed.
I am regularly moved by the eyes and hearts of those in need.
Poor has little to do with economy, more to do with reality. Unencumbered might be a word that resonates with its meaning. Persons with the fluff and stuffing knocked out, a useful image. Simple, real, honest, caring, light weight, next to the earth.
When the day is truly a passage through the wilderness, When being present means bringing presents of love, justice, When confronting power with its opportunity to serve occurs, When acceptance of authority from The Authority is lived.
Poor in spirit keeps one close to the Spirit of Life. Ego so easily highjacks the whole life process. Co-creating with the Keeper of All brings out the best. Deferring to Word Made Flesh, allows true living.
Living in the Now means being aware of this four minutes. Heart-beat, respiration, context, place on the path all count. As this is written Japan’s tsunami devastation captures the world. Libya struggles to gain a foothold of peace and justice.
Poor folk with hope might be the most powerful of all. Generosity of a simple meal, a heartfelt thanks, a song. Loving action unsolicited, from a recognition of common need, Openness to the vagaries, the blessings, the mystical wonder of life.
Following Christ Jesus has never been a culturally acceptable life. Ego placed in Spirit’s pocket allows one to dance with abandon. Possessions organized for the greatest benefit to the most refreshes. Resources shared with family, friends, neighbors go the furthest.
Creator rejoices in real folk living out of the care provided. Word Made Flesh makes clear the cost of living without a safety net. Spirit constantly nudges, cajoles, whispers love notes, encourages. Mysterious One beckons into times’ future, become who you are.
May my clogged sensibilities be flushed of their excess ego. May the abundance of my day be shared with delight. May the companionship of my rag-tag wandering mates be felt. May this day be the day in which the needful is accomplished.
From Those in Need
ReplyDeleteI once met a man who lived in a tent.
He wasn’t going to eat supper that night
because if he did
he would have to go to the bathroom
and that wasn’t so easy
living in a tent.
I once met a woman who had very little.
We spontaneously gave her seventy five dollars.
She then
spontaneously gave it away
to someone who she knew
who she thought
‘really’ needed it.
Once I received a gift
and I knew the giver
had much less wealth than me.
I wanted to say ‘no’
but I took it
because it was a gift from the heart
and I wanted to honor that heart.
Once a man stopped me
and told me he appreciated my writing.
I wanted to tell him ‘no…
I enjoy writing.’
but it seemed important for him to tell me
so I simply listened
and he moved me.
Once I cleared a table at a homeless shelter.
A man came and took hold a chair
then turned and looked me square in the eye
and softly said ‘thank you’.
His connection and appreciation
commanded my attention
“You’re welcome, thank you”
Once during a presentation to a group of Jr High Students
one particular student
who always fought for attention
blurted out
that another student had been missed.
I am regularly moved by the eyes and hearts
of those in need.
Such a beautiful walk through the day! May many of these exquisite moments bless our days.
Deleteronaldo
Blessed are the Poor
ReplyDeletePoor has little to do with economy, more to do with reality.
Unencumbered might be a word that resonates with its meaning.
Persons with the fluff and stuffing knocked out, a useful image.
Simple, real, honest, caring, light weight, next to the earth.
When the day is truly a passage through the wilderness,
When being present means bringing presents of love, justice,
When confronting power with its opportunity to serve occurs,
When acceptance of authority from The Authority is lived.
Poor in spirit keeps one close to the Spirit of Life.
Ego so easily highjacks the whole life process.
Co-creating with the Keeper of All brings out the best.
Deferring to Word Made Flesh, allows true living.
Living in the Now means being aware of this four minutes.
Heart-beat, respiration, context, place on the path all count.
As this is written Japan’s tsunami devastation captures the world.
Libya struggles to gain a foothold of peace and justice.
Poor folk with hope might be the most powerful of all.
Generosity of a simple meal, a heartfelt thanks, a song.
Loving action unsolicited, from a recognition of common need,
Openness to the vagaries, the blessings, the mystical wonder of life.
Following Christ Jesus has never been a culturally acceptable life.
Ego placed in Spirit’s pocket allows one to dance with abandon.
Possessions organized for the greatest benefit to the most refreshes.
Resources shared with family, friends, neighbors go the furthest.
Creator rejoices in real folk living out of the care provided.
Word Made Flesh makes clear the cost of living without a safety net.
Spirit constantly nudges, cajoles, whispers love notes, encourages.
Mysterious One beckons into times’ future, become who you are.
May my clogged sensibilities be flushed of their excess ego.
May the abundance of my day be shared with delight.
May the companionship of my rag-tag wandering mates be felt.
May this day be the day in which the needful is accomplished.
The Rev. Ronald Allen Melver, M.Div.
15.3.13