Prayer--of Doubt, of Love

Lent, a time of reflection, of examination, of giving up the baggage of the past to make room for what is to come; is hard to understand. It's easy to give up something for Lent--desserts, sodas, eating fast food, or whatever. The hard part is giving up patterns of doubt, fear, defeat, prejudice, hatred, failings . . . the things we hide from the light of our lives.

We run from what we fear. We run from the truth we don't want to see. We run from the cost of love. Yet, our Lord ran from none of these. Our brother, Jesus, walked this earthly life touching lives all around him--willing to bear the cost. He knew what lay ahead. He knew the cost. He knew the payoff . . . forgiveness, reconciliation, and true love.

It seems our world explodes around us with hurt, pain, violence, and destruction. People die . . . because of the color of their skin . . . because of their faith . . . because of fear that they are different than what we think they should be.

Running from the fears that pursue me

I pant as fear pours from my pores

Leaping, hurdling, skirting the edges . . .

Constantly moving in hope to evade those who wish me harm

Their words assault my senses, my confidence, my being

Am I who they say I am?

Am I a person of no worth?

Am I worthy of love?

I pause . . . resting . . . listening for their disparagement

All I hear around me is the sound of my own fear

I hear silence between my gasps for breath

Slowly, ever slowly the quiet grows

Glancing from place to place I fear the accusers

While quiet slowly wraps me in loving arms

Calming in the silence a quiet voice resonates

Its strength and love flows within me

I still myself and listen

You are my child . . . I created you for love, for good

Love as I love you . . . touch others in my love

Stand with the least . . . stand with the lost . . . stand with all

Embody my love . . . embody my grace . . . embody my heart

Peace filled my soul

Fear faded

I turned and faced the accusers . . .

And loved them

God, teach us to love. Teach us to look beyond our differences to what we are created to be . . . your children . . . your light . . . your love. Help us to stand with one another; to stand up for one another. Teach us to look beyond what we see or have been taught to see to the soul of each person. Teach us, to love.