I awoke this morning ready to take care of my typical morning routines and be at the church for Chapel Time with the preschoolers. I checked my emails and answered the more urgent ones, made a few pressing phone calls, and went over my calendar and schedule. With the Ash Wednesday service coming this evening, there would be many pieces to coordinate in preparation for worship. This is going to be a busy day, I thought, but I still had plenty of time to enjoy a hot shower before settling in to the first morning of my Lenten devotion.
As I turned on the water for my shower, I realized that the dog had not yet been outside. I left the water to run and heat up while I quickly walked to the door to let the dog out. Once I made it to the kitchen, I felt that familiar hunger pang and grabbed a quick bite immediately noticing that the fish in our aquarium had not been fed. I do love watching those fish during their feeding frenzy so I took care of their morning needs and then headed back to the door for the dog who was waiting to come inside. Walking back through the den, I stopped to put the couch cushions back in order and picked up some stray shoes that needed to be put away.
About that time, I became aware of a soft roar coming from the back of the house. I paused for a moment wondering what the sound was, and after a few seconds of listening I recognized the familiar gush of running water… long past the hot stage. I was no longer looking forward to a leisurely shower. This would be quick and uncomfortable. If that weren’t bad enough, I had not read my devotion and getting to Chapel on time was looking uncertain. I had allowed my morning to be interrupted by so many distractions that I had missed out on the best of my plans.
That’s when I began to wonder: How many times do I allow my day to get in the way of God’s best plans for me? Colossians 3:2 came to mind: “Think about the things above and not things on earth.” Ouch. That hit home… and it was quick and uncomfortable.
During the Lenten season, we focus on simple living, prayer and fasting in order to grow closer to God. We often work to give up something as a way to re-focus our lives on Jesus Christ. Perhaps, rather than a token riddance of chocolate or soft drinks, this year I will work to eliminate distraction. I will be intentional to think about the things above and not things on earth.
May your day be blessed and your Lent be faithfully fruitful.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Beth
As I turned on the water for my shower, I realized that the dog had not yet been outside. I left the water to run and heat up while I quickly walked to the door to let the dog out. Once I made it to the kitchen, I felt that familiar hunger pang and grabbed a quick bite immediately noticing that the fish in our aquarium had not been fed. I do love watching those fish during their feeding frenzy so I took care of their morning needs and then headed back to the door for the dog who was waiting to come inside. Walking back through the den, I stopped to put the couch cushions back in order and picked up some stray shoes that needed to be put away.
About that time, I became aware of a soft roar coming from the back of the house. I paused for a moment wondering what the sound was, and after a few seconds of listening I recognized the familiar gush of running water… long past the hot stage. I was no longer looking forward to a leisurely shower. This would be quick and uncomfortable. If that weren’t bad enough, I had not read my devotion and getting to Chapel on time was looking uncertain. I had allowed my morning to be interrupted by so many distractions that I had missed out on the best of my plans.
That’s when I began to wonder: How many times do I allow my day to get in the way of God’s best plans for me? Colossians 3:2 came to mind: “Think about the things above and not things on earth.” Ouch. That hit home… and it was quick and uncomfortable.
During the Lenten season, we focus on simple living, prayer and fasting in order to grow closer to God. We often work to give up something as a way to re-focus our lives on Jesus Christ. Perhaps, rather than a token riddance of chocolate or soft drinks, this year I will work to eliminate distraction. I will be intentional to think about the things above and not things on earth.
May your day be blessed and your Lent be faithfully fruitful.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Beth
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