Sacrifices
Just as I feel that craving for light and color in this dim
Still-Winter, Ash Wednesday arrives. For a moment,
Making like a groundhog and postponing lightness
Another six weeks to think on death seems harsh.
Forego adorning doors with Spring wreaths, make fewer
Desserts, keep the bright clothing in the closet? Yet somehow
The pastel fluffy dresses already in the stores and the garish
Eggs and candy avalanches affront my eyes, and only
Reaffirm for me: I actually prefer Him.
Counterfeit sacrifice is not what He asks.
(Christ, the Self-Giver, does ask, you know. )
Asks me to know with clear heart that He is True Love.
Asks me to receive with pure heart His Life.
Bids me love with His love, heal with His healing.
Bids me utterly worship Him.
The real sacrifice.
I pray, then, these present Lenten days gladly freed
Of luxuries, more lightly stepping in my spirit with Him through
His last Earth-days toward death unparalleled —
He, sorrowing, decided, preparing His loved ones to live Real Life.
Again I witness that though God sometimes enfolds Himself
In darkness, He is not dimmed. In the tomb of ultimate sorrow,
He fills with joy and bursts through Death.
Deanna Harrington Christiansen ~ 2017 ~ All Rights reserved
Thanks for your words that invite me to pause and reflect on this most Holy time of the year, on this most Holy of weeks.
Thanks dear friend,
for this most fitting of thoughts on this seemingly endless dark season for you.
There is always light at the end of the tunnel so they say.
And what a glorious LIGHT shone on Resurrection Day!
I find with hindsight, the dim reflective days are the most edifying personally for me, where He is allowed to spend more time in my daily thoughts.
Hardly recognizing changes in seasons here, we must depend on other reminders to keep us looking up! Your sharing is one of them.
Blessings and much Luv,
Marilyn 🙂