A good friend of mine once told me that our faith, the Christian Faith, our hope in the Resurrection, does not make life easier. It makes life better. When we search God’s Holy Word, we see examples of our faithful ancestors going through trials and we more clearly see that faith does not equal ease. It certainly does enrich, add flavor, add depth and meaning.

I was doing such an ordinary thing this past week. Among all of my other things, I was getting my tire into the shop to fix a flat. I was in the shop my second time for the very same flat and just a tad bit grumpy and put out about the whole thing.

The particular devotion (one around gratitude) I read that day and the day before really put a new view on the whole situation for me. One devotion was about noticing and appreciating every person we happen to meet. While I sat in the drafty area of the fix-it shop thinking about how the counter guy could treat me better, one devotion nudged me to remember and notice that the counter guy had a whole life filled with family and friendships and situations I could never fully fathom.

The other devotion (still around gratitude) nudged me away from focusing on disappointments around unmet expectations and toward noticing what treasures God puts around me. I had the means to have a tire fixed! I was not on the side of the highway. I was in a warm building with time to do anything (read, daydream, pray, whatever I wanted).

Although I know these things in my mind, they were brought to me at just the right time because of the devotions I was reading.

We are entering a time of Lent just now. This is a season where we focus on and prepare to more fully appreciate the gift of life and the gift of everlasting life through Jesus. Yes, this is a fulfilled promise for our future but it also enriches every bit of today. Through Jesus’ defeat of evil and darkness and death, you and I have…oh my! We have so very much! Yes, it matters for eternity…and Yes! That includes today!

Oh, my faith certainly did not stop me from having a flat tire. It didn’t even stop it from happening a second time in one week (to the same tire). It DID make my life better through the whole thing.

Throughout this season of Lent, I invite you to open yourself to God’s nudges through devotions. We will have a variety available in the church Gathering space. Daily devotions continually remind us of God’s great love. They help open us to let God speak into our day-to-day lives in ways we could never predict.

May God Bless You to have an enriching and Blessed Lent Season!

May God Bless YOU to enjoy more and more fully YOUR gift of Resurrection through Jesus Christ!

Rhodie