As we journey together through Lent, Christians throughout Columbia will be sharing their own beautifully written personal meditations. Each will be accompanied by a corresponding scripture reading, and be linked to that passage in the Holy Bible. If you would like to join us on Columbia’s Lenten journey, please submit your personal meditation by email. Especially meaningful submissions will be printed. Let us continue our Lenten journey, day by day, to its glorious culmination on Easter Sunday.
Scripture Reading: John 1:1-9
Lent is a special season, both in its significance and in its quietude. It is a time when all of nature prepares, anxious to be awoken from the sleep of winter and to burst forth in new life. As spoken in the Gospel of John, it is a time to anticipate creation, light and life.
The quiet days of Lent offer Christians an unparalleled opportunity for thought, meditation, introspection and prayer. It is a time to look deep within ourselves and prepare our spirits to awake to full bloom. It is a time to think, to ponder and to contemplate.
During Lent, we can ask ourselves some difficult questions: What am I doing that is right? What is there about me that I need to work on? What changes should I try to make in my relationship to God? What changes should I work on in my relationships with other people?
We need not make the proverbial laundry lists, listing things like losing a few pounds, getting up a little earlier, or giving a few more dollars to charity. While these are all valid points, they miss the mark. What we seek are answers that draw us closer to all of God, nature and eternity. We seek to have the fresh sap of life flowing in our veins, the clear stream of knowledge filling out minds, and the bright rays of wisdom showing us the way.
As we think, question, reflect and meditate, let us consider our ultimate Lenten goal: To awake again to new life, along with our Lord and Savior on Easter morning. May we be ready to burst forth, to bloom and flourish, with all that is good, merciful, humble and kind.
Katherine Hathaway
Community Church of the Midlands
Columbia Prayer Chain: Wednesday, February 13
In our prayers: Mary Reames, Richard Smith, Claudia Strattman, Jennifer Williams, Betty Jo Carson, Gary Davis, Eddie Bolton, Myrna, Esther, Pam James, Doug and Sharon, John Kelchner, Elizabeth Matthews, Nedrick Griffin, Jennifer Handy, Nancy Stuckey, Annemarie Sullivan, Rachel and Randy Wurtzbaugh, Patty Peckham, Denise Byrd, Greg and Lisa Steele, Dean Timothy Jones, Linda Langford, Marty Fritz, Harriet Hancock, Tommy and Robby Palmer, Patty and Ted Mac Laughlin, Janet Long, Bobby Wilson, Debbie and Pat Barry, Betty Jo Sullivan, Patrick and Patricia Barry, Jordan Hill, Doris Clevenger, Charles Sigel, Bob Davis, John Whatley, Nancy Zuckerman, Charles Davis Sr., Bill Carter, Betty Peavy Frick, Joye Cantrell, Fred and Gail, Dale and Norma Sessions, Padge Arrington, Jerry Callahan, Norman Masters
Special prayers for Mary Ellen’s four-year-old grandson, Joseph Patrick, who is fighting cancer
In memoriam: Pauline Simmons Davis, Donna Kelly Joy, Julius L. Lucas Jr., Carolyn Keisler Shealy, Lois A. Schmiedeker, Jewel Janet Russell Owens, Walter Hampton Sr., Juanita “Nita” Parrott Tompkins, Master Sgt. William Weston, Jon Alvin Thurmond
Our prayers are with: the elderly, the homeless, all currently fighting illness, all beloved pets, our president and congress, our police officers and firefighters, all who serve in the armed forces
Columbia Prayer Chain is open to all residents of greater Columbia who would like to share prayers and receive the prayers of others. Please leave your name in the comment box or email me.
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