Due to the trepidatious occurrence of Lent again commencing on Valentine’s Day, I have—again— decided to make a different kind of Lenten offering.
Rather than give up
- sugar, an obvious choice year to year with my proclivities,
- or chocolate, which I’ve pretty much given up already for reasons I shall not share here,
- or television and my excellent British historical dramas,
- or excellent British crime dramas,
- or something like the news that would, rather than a sacrifice, be a pleasure,
I’ve decided that, during this Lenten season, I shall Let Love Win.
It will be difficult. This is because I am pretty much always right.
My husband strongly suspects that I think this and, for 48 1/2 years, has often gone along with my illusion. On those unfortunate occasions when he hasn’t, our marriage has sailed into rough waters, those squalls that rock the marriage boat and make you want to take a solo vacation.
In general, the problem is that, with my keen insights, orderly view of the world, and ability to see quite far into the future, my position or point of view is usually unassailable. Until it isn’t. Then there’s trouble, baby. So you can see why my Lenten resolution might be sacrificial.
Here’s the plan:
- I will think before I make my (correct) opinion known, a.k.a “speak”.
- Not only will I think, but will dip my words in love before they leave my mouth.
- I will consider the possibility that being married a long time to someone doesn’t mean I know everything about him.
- This means that Love might unearth all kinds of wonderful things in my loved one that have been obscured by my—let’s be kind—pride.
- By doing these things, I am acknowledging the Love of Christ at work in my heart. Also, that no matter how many seasons I’ve lived there is always room for more Love work to be done.
And this will be plenty of truth to ponder on Valentine’s Day and the 39 days that follow.