Making treks this Maundy Thursday!

Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on our Journey,


This evening we got a late start due to having to call 911 for my dad who had some kind of fall in his bedroom. He wanted me to help him get into bed but I couldn't due to recovering from surgery. My body still has an occasional twinge and I needed to protect him and myself too. I hope everyone knows that you can call 911 Senior Down/Assist to get your loved one or friend off the floor and on their feet. No charge for this in our country. I asked if he wanted me to stay and he said "No" so, I walked and prayed and did half a loop. Good thing because today I'm a bit sore and tired. As our key phrase for Holy Week I decided to Stop, Look, and Listen to what God and my body was telling me to do. We need to give ourselves permission to do what's best for us. 

As I was walking it occurred to me what we all should be doing along with praying, foot washing, and celebrating the institution of the Lord's Supper and that is reaching out to our friends and family and letting them know how much they are loved and appreciated. If there ever was a time when we needed to hear the words "I Love You!", 'I'm your friend, you can count on me!" and saying "Thank you", and giving thanks today is it. Nothing fancy but greatly needed. These words need to be said and prayed to God and yes even  ourselves! Tell God that you love him daily not just by words but by loving actions of service, social justice, and learning to live peaceably with all our neighbors and in our language Family Members! Our challenge is always to Stop, Look, and Listen to God not only through his "Still small voice!"  but in the nonverbal cues that surround us on every side, every day that we live, do, and be.  As we keep watch and pray with  Jesus tonight and meet him on the Way of Sorrows tomorrow all the way to the cross let us take time to give thanks to God for sending Jesus to us and tell Jesus that you love him by laying down all the garbage that is separating us from Him. Let go of judgements, intolerance, and all acts that prevent you and us from truly being the Loving Family of God we were created to be.Now, let us Stop, Look, and Listen yet again by praying and viewing tonight's photos. 

God we pray that we may Stop, Look, and  Listen and bring to mind what Maundy Thursday means to us. We give thanks for Jesus example of washing His disciples feet and calling them "Friends" Help us give loving service  and be a friend to all of our family members who are nearby, stranger, and enemies.

Help us to remember that there is no strike out policy with you and that we all receive grace and mercy and no one is "X'ed" out but drawn in to your loving arms of redemption and forgiveness.

 May we begin to model ourselves after you Jesus and reflect you in all that we do or say each and every day that we live, do , and be.

 Help us not to allow any negative thought or action make us in to bonsai people who look pretty but do not have room to grow and flourish and grow into the fruits of the Spirit.

 Let us Stop, Look, and Listen and pray for ourselves and all those whom we have been asked to pray for.
Take time to reflect on these words "Love One Another!"

We pray and give thanks for new growth during this Lenten season and that we may continue to behold the beauty of God's Cathedral of Life.

 We pray for times of rest, relaxation, refreshment, and renewal knowing that even during periods we do not see new life there are tiny seeds and seedlings taking root and peeking through the soil of our souls.

 Help us as we grow to reach towards the light and  bring your light to a broken and fragile world. 
Guide us as we bear your light to others in the ways that you would have us do.  

 May we take time once again to reflect on these words"  I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

 Help us O God use our words wisely so that we may not harm or hate. May our words and deeds be of love, mercy, justice, and compassion towards all.

 May we continue on this Holy 3 day journey with our minds fixed on you and what and how you are calling us to be and not just do.

 May we lay down our burdens into the Worry box and  stay awake and pray with you  as we remember when you prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

 May our steps tomorrow be ones of thought, mindfulness, and remembrance of all that you have done in our lives and in the world. 

 Help us to Stop, Look, and Listen and be at peace.

 Listen to God in the silence of your hearts, feel God's love enfolding you, and welcoming you, our family, strangers, the marginalized, and  enemies into His Household where there is no hatred but love, mercy, and forgiveness. 

We lift these prayers to you God in Jesus' Name. Amen.


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Good Night Dear Family, I love you and hope each of you have a blessed and restful night.  Let us continue to hear God asking us to "Walk with me on our journey" in the coming days and meet Jesus at the foot of the cross and beyond. 

Blessings, peace, joy, and love be yours always!

Sara


Thomas Tallis Mix