Feb. 22, 2010
 
DEVOTION: First Sunday in Lent
 
By Beth Bondurant
 
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- Wandering in the desert ... wondering about temptation and trials... wonderfully triumphing in God's wisdom and grace.
 
Each Sunday of Lent is like a mini-Easter where one can celebrate overcoming sadness and sorrow with joy, peace... God's strength and love.
 
It's a time to remember when love could "bear all thing, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things".
 
You have so many stories sitting in the library of your heart and mind... waiting to be read... told... celebrated and shared. Think about it! Now is the time to recall ... God with us ... even in the middle of a desert or stranded in a wasteland of trouble and tears.
 
Starting way back in your childhood memories... you can recall the sheer terror when someone you loved was in pain and you didn't know what to do or how to help... when your job was to run to get assistance or stay out of the way for adults to come to the rescue... nevertheless... for moments... hours... even days... that helplessness prevailed until the comfort of a power beyond all understanding soothed your heart and calmed your soul.
 
Growing up as a teen and finding one's self in lonely predicaments... requiring difficult decisions... and sometimes suffering the consequences in total silence... we seem to recall that Presence of unconditional acceptance giving us the strength we need.
 
As an adult... in the hospital waiting room... or delivery room... or various places that took us out of our security zone and into the darkness of incomprehensible distress, there came a touch... a voice... a prayer... a reminder of "belonging" to the One who loves us the most and surrounds us with hope.
 
I remember being called at work and told to immediately come to the hospital as Bob had collapsed with a heart attack. Of all things he was in another county and had to be transported in an ambulance... and I could only follow in my car... behind the red flashing lights and screaming siren. Why wouldn't people pull out of the way of the ambulance... how long will it take to get him to the help he needs... will he even survive the trip. Somehow knowing the ins and outs of the hospital I met his stretcher as they wheeled him into the heart area... and just our "being together" at this point brought a "peace that passes all understanding".... we both were in God's hands.
 
Rejoice today and remember the "living Lord" surrounds you with what you need. Share the good news of God's unconquerable compassion for you.
 
God's love is able "to keep you from falling... and bring you faultless and joyful into God's glorious presence... now and forevermore... Amen."