When my husband and I lived in northeastern Ohio early in our married life, we lived next door to a botanist. His wife was an avid gardener who grew up in Trinidad. I wouldn’t really call their yard a yard. It was more like a garden with grass walkways. It started with one bed, then two. Each season inaugurated a new bed adding new layers, textures and colors.
I used to follow my friend around her beds, keeping a healthy distance from her machete. Quick movements took out uninvited weeds with precision . She loved her plants, describing each one as we made our way around her beds.
I learned to pull the spent blossoms off of the plants while she was weeding. “Help me deadhead the plants.” She would say. If I missed even one blossom, I got a gentle reminder that if I leave the dead blooms on the plant, it will give all of its energy to that dead bloom. But if I pull those blossoms off, that energy will go towards the parts of the plant that are alive.
God gives us little reminders everywhere. You have an allotted amount of energy in your life. Will you use it for something that you can’t change? Or will you let go of that which you are powerless over and put it to use on yourself and something that you can change?
The season of Lent is upon us. We only have one more day of ordinary time. Ash Wednesday will remind us that we came from dust and to dust we will return. The rhythm of our liturgical seasons is something that my body seems to anticipate. I feel the need to clean things up.
Lent is my favorite season. It helps me to reorient myself. I’ve stumbled off course as humans tend to do. This is an opportunity to convert (turn) myself back to God and his will for my life. I feel this need as I take my dogs outside to potty. Walking past my hydrangea bushes, I remove a few of the dead flowers, feeling the dirt and dust that they have already begun to return to as they easily slip off their stems.
I brush my hands together to get the dirt off my hands before heading back inside with the dogs who know a treat awaits them. I’m thinking of my important work: I need to deadhead my own will, giving God’s will for my life the opportunity to receive that energy.
Just a few days later I notice new shoots beginning to appear on my bushes. It didn’t take long to see new growth appear once the dead flowers have been removed. Will the same be true for me? I hope so. Gray skies, cold air, short days and staying inside begin to wear on me. I am ready for longer days (Lent means days length grows longer). I am ready to clean out my garden. I hope for resurrection.
There is often a feeling that when we give up something it is a sad occasion. But Lent is a joyful time for me. I’m letting go of weight that I’ve been carrying around. I’m opening myself up to new growth. I am reaching like a plant toward the sun for communion with our Lord. I pray that you have a fruitful Lenten season.
Join me for Lenten Reflections
Here is an opportunity for fasting, prayer and almsgiving. I will be in Kentucky to give (3) talks on Giving up Distorted Images: of God, of Self & of Others. Won’t you join us via livestream? Then consider donating to this area in need. Most of all Please pray for those who lost their homes or family members.
To register, go to my events page and click register. You will receive a Zoom link before the event. I hope to see you there!
