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When I knew very little Spanish, this older one said my eyes were celeste, the blue of heaven. Forever after, I knew the value of cognates. I already knew the supreme value of children, all of them.

Yesterday, I saw a meme of two exquisitely beautiful boys. Each had journeyed by himself to a border. The light-skinned one was deemed a hero; the brown-skinned one was locked in a cage.

When the war began, I wondered, how will this too reflect institutional racism?

Readings

Sat – Mar 12 Psalm 118:26-29 Matthew 23:37-39 Psalm 27

When I asked my dear friend and prayer partner if I could borrow her copy of this book for book group, she surprised me with my own copy, purchased and ready to be picked up at my convenience at our nearby independent bookstore.

She’s the person who has sent me an encouraging text every morning since Rob’s surgery.

Long ago, St. Paul advised the Philippians to imitate the faithful. I try. I’ve chosen one whose behavior matches her belief. Can’t wait to duplicate this book trick for someone else.

Readings

Fri – Mar 11 Genesis 14:17-24 Philippians 3:17-20 Psalm 27

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

These have been the words of my prayers for the past few days. Whether it is to overcome stage fright, awaiting lab results, or reading about the violence in the world, both local and global. These words have served as a balm…kind of.

I say “kind of” because it is not as if saying this Psalm takes away all fear and anxiety. The fear is still there. In my shoulders, in my jaw, in my responses, and in my inactivity. The fear is often still present. But these words remind me where I can place these feelings and where I can place my trust. This temporary release from fear allows me moments of clarity to question what it is I am truly afraid of. Comfort? Things? Pride? Privilege? Respect? Likability?

I had hoped today’s readings would include angels. I wanted to continue the string of connecting these Lenten posts to the Lectionary.

Anyway…

Thoughts of my Dad, born in Richmond like Russell and a giant Seahawks fan very late in his life, are ever-present.

Thu – Mar 10 Genesis 13:1-7, 14-18 Philippians 3:2-12 Psalm 27

I don’t like to think Job lost his sons and daughters, all of them, in the first chapter. Or that not one, but two, of my friends broke an ankle on the same day. Not to mention the surgeries I know of today. And the struggling children. Of course, I hate considering war in Ukraine.

Then again, it sure puts the trade of Russell Wilson to Denver in perspective.

Wed – Mar 9 Job 1:1-22 Luke 21:34—22:6 Psalm 17