Dear God, there is something to be said for sisters. I was able to have a great visit with my sister yesterday to talk through some of the things with which I was struggling. It was good to have someone who has known me my whole life and has history with some of the things that were bothering me. I was very grateful to have her yesterday. Thank you for that relationship in my life.

One of the families I’ve been praying for where one of the spouses is sick had to be put on hospice yesterday. They expect her to pass by the end of the week. I’ll say that their son’s birthday is in a couple of days. Please don’t let it happen on his birthday. But comfort them. Love them. Knit them together. Strongly support her, her husband who adores her, and her children who love her. Oh, Holy Spirit, please be very present with them and pray to the Father for them.

Here are the verse from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer for today.

• AM Psalms: 101, 109
• PM Psalm: 119:121-144
• Jeremiah 18:1-11
• John 6:27-40
• Romans 8:1-11

Psalms 101, 109 – First, I want to stop and remember why I am doing this Lenten series in the first place. I want to really sink into this experience of Jesus doing what he did for me. For us. I want to really meditate on that and appreciate it. Next, I want to just say that Psalm 109 is an example of one of those psalms where I appreciate what David is feeling, but I wouldn’t take this as prescriptive from you. It might be descriptive of his experience, and I appreciate the vulnerability of him writing this down and articulating it so well. Also that he shared it so that others would see it. But it’s hard to read in light of Jesus and the New Covenant he brought us.

Jeremiah 18:1-11 – I am so glad I had the Bible in a Year podcast two years ago to help me understand Jeremiah more. And the analogy here is powerful. The potter with the clay. I am very malformed. You are constantly remaking me into your image. Oh, help me, Lord, to be in your image.

John 6:27-40 – Jesus was who he said he was. I would not have believed it then, but I believe it now. I’m so grateful to be alive now and not then.

Romans 8:1-11 – Holy Spirit, live in me. I know you do, but there are times when I crowd you out with my own selfishness and sinful nature. Live in me. I make you welcome here. Jesus, thank you for breaking any condemnation from the Father onto me. Thank you for your life, death, and resurrection.

And now as I go into this day, walk with me, Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Help me to take you to others. Help me to love others. Help me to bring you everything that I think is mine and lay it at the foot of your cross. And help me to know how to love this family who is losing their precious wife and mother.

I offer all of this to you in Jesus and with the Holy Spirit,

Amen