John kneeling in the barn drying off the newborn calf - a bull calf born to a first calf heifer! The mother is a bit nervous and unsure of what just happened to her. The calf needs to be dried off and warmed up both on the outside and on the inside with milk from his mother.
The flash caught all the dust in the air, but it was a cute one of the alert new baby calf looking up at John as he works on drying him off. John and I discussed what to name him..."Is there a Saint for today?" "No, but we should name him something with lent in it... like Clent." John gives me a screwed up look - "How about Relent or just Lent?" I just looked up the meaning of relent - "
to soften in feeling, temper, or determination; become more mild, compassionate, or forgiving." I like it and think it would be helpful in this season of dying to self!
A cute pair on this cold day. New life is starting to come - be with our calving season, O Lord!
The first reading from Isaiah 58 had some powerful words for us to follow in this Lenten season...
This rather is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; Sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. Then your Light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed...Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer, you shall cry for help, and he shall say: Here I am!
Such powerful reminders that Lent is not just about doing without but about caring for those around us - the reading pointed out that we are to "not turn your back on your own." Blessed Teresa of Calcutta reminds us that although we are rich in things that many are starving for love and attention. I see this in the nursing home, and see how we become loving family for many that are alone at the ends of their lives. In our own families we should be aware of those that are lonely and alone and do not get the love they deserve! May we have the eyes of Faith to see the needs and then go out and meet them. Looking outward this Lent and not inward alone! That is a powerful way to transform and change our hearts to be like Jesus!
John and I got the warming box out and put our new calf in there to warm up on this cold day. This is how we moved it to the box, and then we each took a side and lifted it in...
Helper Lilly, the dog, is excited to have calving season here!
Today in the Gospel, Jesus, you remind us that we need to fast in many ways so that we may come close to our Bridegroom - share in his suffering as we take up our Most Cherished Cross and die to self so that you may live in us - the we may find LIFE/LOVE/LIGHT to radiate out to all those around us - most especially to those in our domestic Church/family. Those closest to us are at times the hardest to treat well and to love and respect! "Wounded, I will not cease to LOVE." the motto of the Community of the Lamb... is so powerfully hard to do, and all we need do is look to the Lamb/Jesus to see this example of LOVE! Jesus, we are yours! Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Hallelujah
Relent is warming in this box... John talking to his new job - soon to start he passed the background check, of course!
He will be a personal banker at Wells Fargo here in town. The day he accepted it - he had 3 job offers on that same day! Feast or famine, and when you trust in the Lord of guidance in your future it all has a certain LIGHT about it all. We are grateful for some doors opening, O Lord!
Relent curled up and warming... soon with warm mother's milk, he will be running and frisking around no matter how cold it is!
Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
Words to live by!
Casting Crowns - Who am I
Brandon Heath - Give me your eyes
Chris Tomlin - I will rise
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