Lenten Thoughts About Life's Troubles

I have not done my usual Lenten thoughts this year and I really miss doing them. They helped me stay focused on the reality of the season and the basis of my faith.

Today, however, I was thinking about a few friends who are having trouble after trouble visit them. It reminded of the many times that I, too, faced it. Somehow, we all get through these times.

But whenever I was wise enough to remember to pray during those times, it was a lot easier.

I thought today about Christ, and how his sorrows began in the garden. 

That night must have been terrible in itself. He even asked his father to lift his burden, to take it away. That was followed by the scourging at the pillar. That was followed by the crowning of thorns. By that time, the human side of Jesus must have been wondering if his father had deserted him. On top of that, he tried to carry the cross, bloodied and beaten and battered as he was, until he felt he could go no further. At the moment he was weakest, when he fell with his burden, the father sent him someone to help carry it for him.

That's what I hold onto. The need to have courage during those tough times and have the incredible patience needed to hold on while the father works it out for me...

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your help when I need it; thank you, sweet Lord Jesus, for suffering as you did for me, in an earthly body which felt pain and exhaustion, while you waited for the father's help. I am so grateful for my faith and the times it has helped in tough times.