Suzy just sent me a recipe she wants to use tonight for cornmeal pancakes with honey-pecan butter. If that doesn’t get me in the mood for Lent, I don’t know what will.
As I contemplate my Lenten discipline I can’t help but think about the wonderful gift I’ve been given, and to ask myself what am I doing with this gift called life. For many who have been given a second chance the opportunity can become a burden. You think you need to do something great – cure cancer, overcome world poverty, or bring about world peace. It can eat at you when you realize that life, even a second one, seldom gives you an opportunity to do something world changing or perform a miracle.
Just as we discussed last week, as infinity works in two directions, working miracles occurs in small ways, just as it does in large ones. Some of the greatest of God’s miracles have occurred without a whimper or a whisper. Even Christ performed miracles often admonishing the healed to not tell anyone. Many of his miracles were of beggars and children, he didn’t cure kings or generals. There a thousand small miracles that can occur during Lent. Pennies in a mite box not only go to feed the hungry they teach our children the spirit of giving to those less fortunate. When we give up a triple Latte at Starbucks and ask for a small cup of regular, we may contribute a little more to the tip box or to the homeless man standing outside. When we give up stopping by the pub at night on the way home from work, we may create a miracle in our relationship with our family or may have the energy to write a note to a long last friend.
Lent is not just a time of sacrifice and penitence. It’s a time of small miracles that can happen as a result of your turning your sacrifice into a gift to someone else. As we enjoy our pancakes and think about all the things you can do without for Lent, think also what you can do with your sacrifice.
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