on the morrow

The sun sets on one day, promising to return in a few hours. Its yielding of the sky to twinkling stars is only temporary, because he will return soon to rule the day again.

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Leafless trees are barren for a season. A frosty breeze strips them bare to reveal another form of glory in their creative lines, their shape, their originality.

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A noisy escapee from the recycle bin performs its random and noisy dance in the gusty breezes. It rushes here, then there, crashing occasionally, and then suddenly stopping - as if out of breath.

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Standing there, I soak it all in. Someone steps outside, chin tucked, and begins the hasty charge to the calm inside their car. "What are you so happy about?" they ask. I smile and say, "no mosquitoes."

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But I know they will return. And so will the leaves. And so will the sun. Lord willing, I will be here to enjoy them all again.

Easter prep

We’re supposed to get more snow this weekend. I’m glad. I love living in the Chicago area. They say, “If you don’t like the weather here, just wait five minutes.” It’s not really that bad, and I have nothing against people who live in Florida (Hi Mom & Dad!), but I just like the changing of the seasons.

One reason for this affection of mine, is that after a hard winter, spring begins to bloom. And especially when it’s been a brutally tough winter, the bursting forth of life with its colors, sounds and smells, (inhaling deeply) aaaaahhh, it’s so invigorating!! There is a feeling of appreciation for spring that bubbles over; you don’t have to try to notice; it’s just there!

I said that to say this:

I used to work in retail. One year, Easter snuck-up on me. I must have been too caught up in my work and the Lenten season was practically ignored. When Easter Sunday came, there was something missing. Nothing was different about the historical event, or Sunday service, or how my brothers and sisters were celebrating. The difference was in me.

I knew in my mind that the day was special, but looking at the uncontainable enthusiasm of my churchmates, I realized that their preparation had an effect on the day. That effect was like the soul’s slingshot aimed up towards the sky… the deeper the preparation, the higher the exhilaration.

I hope you don’t see me as a simpleton being swept away by shallow emotions, but instead, won’t you join this simpleton as he invests his affections on heavenly things?

If you’re fasting, you probably want to keep that between you and God, but maybe you can share good ideas about how to we might observe lent. For example, Charity has Lenten meditations.