The little girl clutched her play necklace, a fake to be sure, but a favorite. Her dad, having a planned surprise for his little girl, said, "I have something special for you; open your hand!" The little girl could hardly do it--and her daddy could not give her the real pearl necklace until she did!
Today marks the beginning of the Lenten season--a time when many people, Catholic and Protestant, "give up" something they enjoy to show their devotion for Christ, to remember His death on the Cross. It might be chocolate or pasta, pizza or peppermint ice cream, a favorite TV show, or just some fluffy popcorn to go with it--but it's supposed to be something you love! That's all well and good--but...
Let's dig a little deeper in the denial...down where it REALLY hurts. Let's give up our angry thoughts, our prideful actions, our petty causes; our controlling ways, our bitter hearts, our biting tongue, our selfish deeds. The list could go on and on!
The little girl clutched her play necklace, a fake to be sure, but a favorite. Her dad, having a planned surprise for his little girl, said, "I have something special for you; open your hand!" The little girl could hardly do it--and her daddy could not give her the real pearl necklace until she did!
Today marks the beginning of the Lenten season--a time when many people, Catholic and Protestant, "give up" something they enjoy to show their devotion for Christ, to remember His death on the Cross. It might be chocolate or pasta, pizza or peppermint ice cream, a favorite TV show, or just some fluffy popcorn to go with it--but it's supposed to be something you love! That's all well and good--but...
Let's dig a little deeper in the denial...down where it REALLY hurts. Let's give up our angry thoughts, our prideful actions, our petty causes; our controlling ways, our bitter hearts, our biting tongue, our selfish deeds. The list could go on and on! Let's let go of the "stuff" that God REALLY wants us to release...and then, during this pre-Easter season, we can allow HIM to give us the treasures of HIS kingdom--it's called the Fruit of the Spirit...and it's not fake...it's the REAL thing!
Plan to give up what you will for Lent...but plan a little further to give up what you WON'T...that "stuff" you're holding onto--you'll be glad you did! Now believe it--let it go--and have a great Ash Wednesday, wherever on Planet Earth you live!
Scripture:
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26)."
Prayer: "Lord, I long for the Fruit of the Spirit to be displayed in my life; help me to let go of the things that harm my soul so I may receive from Your Hand the graces You offer; remind me of the sacrifice You made for me--may I freely give my all to You, In Jesus' Name, Amen."
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Copyright 2005 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, Mo. Used by permission.
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