Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Psalm: 25:6-7

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for your goodness’ sake, O Lord

Love's laughter
I sat on a cymbal on a high school band trip. I plopped down on a seat beside Kevin, who informed me someone had stuck gum on the cymbal which was now affixed to the seat of my pants. On those rare occasions we see each other, Kevin tells the story. And we laugh.
This is how God remembers us, with joy, with love over all the ups and downs we have known through our lives. God remembers it all, the things we forget as well as the wrong we wish we could erase from memory.
This is a problem for most us. Hurts and hatreds, regret and shame haunt us in the night … daytime, too. For we know we have sinned, fallen short of God’s hope for us.
But God’s memory is infinitely more kind than our own. The Divine Majesty looks at us with compassion, not with condemnation for wrongs done or the hurt we cause.
God is steadfast love, unceasing, ever flowing, bathing our fevered hearts in cooling waters, and with a smile, looks at us and says things like, “I remember you. You are that kid who sat on a cymbal.” And we laugh.
Remember us, Lord, according to your goodness.

Pr. David L. Miller

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