Meditation Moment in Lent ~ Day 19: Give Up, Take On, Pray '24

March 6, 2024 ~ 4th Wednesday in Lent

~ Julian of Norwich*

       Few of us can claim personal experience with unconditional love either received or given. Perhaps a moment with a child, even a pet, but such a rarefied occasion is fleeting and fragile. Yet there are those times when even the strongest of us needs the all-encompassing embrace of one who gives us a Way for our living this life yet requires nothing in return, has no expectations, and wants only to care for and comfort, nurture and love us.  Let us whisper in our hearts to the One and know.

O Great Nurturer, Comforter, and Soother,     

    Some days I want too much from others while I think that they want too much from me. Although I'm often certain that, "of course" I try to meet the expectations they have, I more easily fall into an ego trap of but what about me? For today I will give up pouting about feelings of being ignored and inadequate. I will take on a fresh breath and a deep dive into Your call to love my neighbors and myself as well as You do,  and that my gifts of and from the Spirit are always needed and wanted and useful for others. I will pray to remember that You are always within and around me and knowing if I pause, breathe, and know You are here, You grant me continuing rebirth in faith, reassurance of Your love, and refreshment in my soul. amen.

   *Julian of Norwich, 1342-ca 1416, was an English Anchoress which was, in her day, a hermit who lived in, and was sometimes permanently enclosed in, a small cell attached to a wall of the church. Her life consisted of daily devotions, prayer, devotional reading, and writing. She is considered to be one of the most important mystics in all of Christianity. Her manuscript of Revelations of Divine Love ~ also known as the Short Text ~ is thought to be the oldest surviving book written in English by a woman.  She is probably best known for her words that with God, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well."

 

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