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If you know me, then you know that I am extremely enamored of my dogs. All three of them. But the newest one, Andre, the one year old pup, is a joyful delight. He is extremely energetic and never tires. (I am secretly hoping to catch some of his “bounce”!)

Among Andre’s many endearing charms is his attentiveness. He is always watching the people around him. He pays attention to the slightest sound. He stares and his head tilts and his ears perk up as I move around the house. He is always tuned in to his family. Taking it all in. Never missing a signal, a gesture, a look, a nod. He studies us like a scholar translating an ancient manuscript.

Andre is teaching me about paying attention. And in this Lenten season, we are reminded about paying attention to God. Are we tuning in to God all of the time and with great concentration and focus? Are we noticing all that is being shown to us? Do we see the many dimensions and layers of our experience? Are we seeing and learning the way of love? Andre reminds me to be more attentive.

From my beloved Newfie, Fergus, I am reminded about loyalty and obedience. From my girl, Nahla, I am reminded about self-care and determination. But from dear Andre, it’s curiosity, observation, and attentiveness. With all my dogs have to teach me, I can see why they are known as “man’s best friend.”

Prayer: In these Lenten days may we be attentive. Attentive to the natural world with its subtle shifts in our tropical climate. Attentive to the ways we are being invited to learn to love. Attentive to the people around us, their hopes and dreams and needs. Attentive to the ever-present divine spirit of love sustaining all of creation. Amen.

Yesterday I asked my husband, Jeff, to paint a banner that said “Alleluia” for the Children’s Time at church this morning. We have a roll of art paper that is 8 1/2 inches wide and as long as you want it. So I figured the banner would end up being 8 1/2 by 25 inches. The idea was that at Children’s Time we would discuss that we don’t use the word “alleluia” in Lent. Then when we sing our “alleluias” on Easter, they are all the more impressive and create a real celebration. My plan was to discuss the banner and then invite the children to come up with a hiding place for the banner in the sanctuary. Then on Easter, we would get it out and put it up.

When I went to bed last night, the banner had not yet been painted. When I got up this morning, I went into our Florida room and the folding utility table was up in the middle of the room and the alleluia banner was draped over it drying. The banner was about 4 feet wide and maybe 25 feet long. Painted in bright colors and highlighted with gold spray paint, this banner was shouting ALLELUIA. The glory of the banner required a slight emendation of the plan for Children’s Time. For one thing, it took three adults to unfurl the banner. And it was definitely too big to discreetly tuck away in the sanctuary, so it was rolled up and the children took it to church school to find a place to hide the banner in the Fellowship Hall building. In a few weeks, we will ask the kids to decide where the banner should be displayed on Easter Sunday.

The image I like here is how I asked for something relatively small; a symbolic gesture, really. And I got a huge, glorious response. This is how it works with faith sometimes. Our expectations may be low, but then we get a tremendous outcome. Far more that we could ask or imagine.

Maybe you have given up something for Lent, or are pursuing a new spiritual discipline for Lent. Maybe you are reading a gospel over the course of the 40 days. Maybe you are taking time to pray and meditate each day. Maybe you are making it a point to do volunteer work once a week for Lent. Perhaps you don’t expect what you are doing to make much of a difference. But as the banner reminds us, you may be in for a big surprise. There may be a glorious ALLELUIA waiting for you on Easter!

Prayer: May we truly trust our faith to make a difference, not only in us, but in the world. May we expect great things and invest ourselves in love without fear. Amen.

There has been much in the news lately about the cruise ship that was languishing in the Gulf of Mexico and the uncomfortable conditions that the people had to face. In one report it was mentioned that in spite of the challenges the crew and many of the passengers maintained the attitude that, “We’re all in this together.” This is a refreshing observation given the pervasiveness of individualism in our culture.

The disabled cruise ship experience reminds us of Noah’s ark and the spaceship Earth. It reminds us that we, too, are all in this together. We are inhabiting one planet. It is home to everyone. What we do affects others. The behavior of others affects us. We will ultimately sink or swim together.

Lent is a time to think about what we are doing to make the journey better for others. What are we doing to see that all have a better experience in this life? What are we doing to support the good of the whole? Blaming, pointing fingers, assuming a patronizing attitude, insisting on privilege, these things do not serve the good of all. Listening and assisting serve the wider community. Understanding and working together sustain life.

Prayer: As we journey through this Lenten season, may we shift our thinking from “me” to “we.” We pray to be freed from our bondage to self-interest and individualism. By investing ourselves in the well-being of others, we are saved. God so loved the world that God sent Jesus. May we, too, love the whole world. Amen.

Each year we hold an Ash Wednesday service outside around a fire at the waterfront in the backyard of a church member. It is a very beautiful service of repentance, recommitment, and communion. After the final “amen” we then proceed with the roasting of marshmallows and the consuming of s’mores. Not very “Lenten” I know, but who can resist with the fire at hand.

Last night, for the first time, we began the service as usual, and then, the raindrops began to fall. We quickly moved everything inside to the screened in porch. And, we began again, with the lights turned down and candles on the altar table. The service was lovely and moving despite the disruption.

After the service, we noticed that the fire out by the seawall was still burning, wood aglow. And the rain had stopped. So, conditions now permitted the making of s’mores. That part of the evening went on as usual, to the delight of the young people present!

Lent begins with the story of Jesus being led by the spirit out into the wilderness for 40 days. We can imagine that his expectations mirrored the experiences of other prophets before him who had spent time in the wilderness. Yet Jesus’ 40 days of temptation, and his ministry, unfold in unique ways that no one would have expected. With trust and faith, Love surprises, and, eventually, delights us.

As we think about our journey through Lent, and through life, things usually don’t unfold as we expect them to. There are twists and turns along the way. Adaptability is called for. Flexibility is an asset. And if we pay attention and remain faithful, we will end up where we need to be, and we will appreciate the arrival, and hopefully, even the journey.

Prayer: We pray for the presence of divine Love to lead us through Lent. We pray for openness on the journey. May we relinquish our desire for control and trust God’s imagination and design. Amen.