THE WORD 4 ev 1

Good Morning! Perhaps this sounds a little strange, but Lent is one of my favorite Church seasons-even more than Christmas. However, it is more than just the sombre hymns, liturgy and ancient rits; I am always grateful for the chance to be reminded in vivid ways of the love of my God for me through the sacrifice of Jesus Chrsit. I pray that your Ash Wednesday perperations were filled with the Lord.

Below is devotional from Lutheran Hour Ministries. Thank you all for being so gracious and patient as I take a little Lenten break from our journey through Luke.

Joel 2:13b - … Return to the LORD your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.

Returning things can sometimes be difficult. Certain electronic items can’t be returned for a full refund once the box has been opened. Sometimes we lose the receipt for an item and can’t get reimbursed the full price we paid. Perhaps a store won’t even take an item back if the tagshave been removed. Maybe you’re like me and regularly lose the tags and the receipt. Good luck then!

There are other types of returns, also. Returning to a place that holds bad memories may be challenging. Returning something that doesn’t belong to us to its rightful owner can make us feel guilty. If we’ve been away from church for a time, there could be feelings we have that make it hard for us to return. How about a strained relationship? It could be tough to return and face that person.

Many circumstances and feelings may get in the way of returning, but God’s “return policy” is wide open, no strings or guilt attached. He always wants us to be with Him. Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a season of repentance, of turning around and coming back to God. During Lent we retrace Jesus’ walk to the cross, His suffering and death for us, and His resurrection that guarantees our own resurrection and life eternal with Him in heaven.

Is there something standing in the way of a return you’d like to make? I can’t guarantee it won’t be difficult, but I pray God will guide you in this process. Is a return to God what you desire? Here I can say with certainty that no matter what the circumstances, His love for you is immeasurable, and He is eager to have you close to Him again.

THE PRAYER: Father, thank You for the forgiveness that is ours in Jesus and for always welcoming us back into Your arms. Amen.