Feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the world around us, we keep hoping that Lent will give us some respite. We think, after all, if we just focus ourselves on developing our spiritual lives, that much of the stress we feel in our daily lives will just disappear. But, in reality, we know that’s not quite the not quite the case.
It is difficult to focus on our spiritual lives in a world where we are being constantly bombarded with what is called “the news of the day,” especially when the news is so disheartening. The self-help gurus suggest all kinds of ways to overcome the stress we sometimes feel, including everything from changing the foods we eat to yoga.
But what do we do when none of these ideas don’t work for us? We find ourselves tossing and turning at night when we’re supposed to get a good night’s sleep; we want to exercise to recharge our bodies, but then we think, we’ve got to do this, or that. As difficult as it is, pulling back, just taking a deep breath or two, can help us feel infused by the Spirit, just as water is infused by a tea bag.
Prayer for the Day
Beset by demands made on us on a daily basis,
We come to you, O Spirit of calm, not only for respite;
Bedraggled at times by the obligations we feel,
We search for you to still our senses and give us peace.
Come to us in the quiet of the night, the still of the early morning,
And embrace us with your peace and calm
In the name of the One who beckons your Spirit,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows. It only empties today of its strength.
- Corrie Ten Boom, Dutch Christian who sheltered Jews (1892-1983
Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.
- Hermann Hesse, German poet and writer (1877-1962)
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me.
But I have called and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother,
My soul is like the weaned child that is with me.
Psalm 131: 1-2