Devotion

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I often think of Lent as a quiet season—stillness, simplicity, stripping away. But as much as we might try to have a quiet, reflective season, life doesn't always work out like that.

Sometimes, life is anything but quiet and simple. Sometimes, it's overwhelming and sometimes, it's just plain complicated.

Restlessness.
Uncertainty.
Fear.
Loss.

Sometimes, it's hard to get out of our own heads. How do we escape? How do we find peace, contentment, and joy in the midst of hardship?

It begins with renewal.

"Opening the hand to receive the moments. Trusting what is received to be grace. Taking it as bread. Recount how we laughed today. How we cried today and it too was grace. How He fed us. We ate. We filled. We swept up the crumbs. So He lays us down to sleep. Trust tucks in. He has blessed today. Will He not bless again tomorrow?" - Ann Voskamp, 1000 Gifts

Dwell in this season of Lent by remembering God's faithfulness in your life.

Whatever season you're in right now, whatever challenges you're facing, whatever struggles are weighing heavy on your heart, remember the times of healing, restoration, peace, provision, acceptance, redemption.

Remember the promises fulfilled. Remember the joy of the Easter story. And accept the gift of renewal with open hands and an open heart.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for moments this week that have drawn us closer to you. We admit that it's hard to let go sometimes and fully trust in you, but we know that you are good, we know you provide for us. You go before us and you walk with us through life and you are good.

Help us to seek your face as we go about our days, to look for your hand at work in our lives. You are our safe haven, our shelter from the storm, our peace in the darkness. You are our strength when we feel weak, our hope when we feel discouraged, our joy, and our song. Help us put our trust in you this week.

Lord, thank you for the gift of grace. Thank you for the promise of new mercies every morning, the renewal of our hearts and minds, the fresh start, the clean slate. In this season of Lent, help us remember these gifts every day and live as ones who have been redeemed and made whole.

Amen.