Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

How’s your Lenten resolve going? Did you begin the day, as I did, “This is only the first week of Lent?

“And how many are there?

“Six???”

Ah, yes. Six. Just be glad you’re struggling with behavior changes rather than giving up chocolate. Have a piece of chocolate. It might get you through the day.

Once more, the reading today begins with Isaiah: “For just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered the earth…So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.”

Oh, oops. Remember that slip of the tongue? That complaint? The voiced frustration? Or perhaps someone said a harsh word to you. Remember your reaction?

Our thoughts and our words achieve the ends for which we send them.

Now there’s something to ponder for the day.

We so often think of prayer as being something formal, or for asking help or healing. What if your prayer thoughts and words were as simple as stopping for a moment and breathing? Just breathing? Or smiling at someone?

I’m big on looking out windows. When I need to calm and feel peaceful, I stand or sit and look out a window. I observe when I’m looking out a window, but I rarely “send” words or thoughts.

What helps you become conscious of your words and thoughts? What are your prayers, intentional or unintentional, sending out?

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