A tall cactus "family" at Kapiolani Community College
Good Morning God, IT’S ASH WEDNESDAY! The start of Lent. The season in which we try to enter into to a closer relationship with you.
Traditionally, we do this by giving up something. My husband (lovingly referred to as Pope Kit by a friend) really gets into the GIVE IT UP mindset. I think it must be the Scots heritage out of New England. Let’s see, no alcohol, no caffeine, no sugar containing desserts — and I accompany him on this journey. Although, I did “strike back” this year by pointing out HE should also give up the morning TV business news (cacophony!) Much to my DELIGHT he agreed.
But, I personally don’t hold with the minor deprivation theory . . . is this suffering along with Jesus . . . I don’t think so, God. I mean, wanting to become closer to YOU ought to involve OBEYING with ABANDON! Wild GIVING! Outrageous FORGIVING! That would certainly turn Lent on its head.
Giving up chocolate (although, I am) seems to be one end of a continuum that ends with Thomas Becket and his hair shirt . . . self flaggellation and stuff like that at the far end. Voluntary suffering seems somehow to miss the goal of being remade.
Ah, but the voluntary embracing of HARD . . . now that makes sense to me as a useful exercise. So, perhaps, if I look at it that way — it won’t seem so much like embracing cacti!
Please, God, help me TRUST YOU enough to OBEY YOU. And for me what is REALLY HARD, isn’t the chocolate — it is SETTING ASIDE A DAY OF REST. Funny, isn’t it, how addicted our world is to BUSY! Or maybe sad is a better word. Help us ALL, O God, PLEASE.
Story teller,
A Moment with God 
I was so worried you would want to give up breakfast at Kahala.. I could do zippys but.. so love the littel gifts of loving God’s world. I think I must have a day a week with no computer, no facebook, reading, praying being with God. maybe even writing a bit.