Day 9 of the Lenten 40 seemed to be about imagery.  Some of this is silly, because I got a new camera.  The new camera is to greet the new bundle of joy and poo when he/she arrives in April/May.  Most of the environment around me is snow-white, snow gray and snow brown.  So there is a dominating hue to everything.  I was hoping we were out of the woods, but then again, I always get tricked in February into thinking that winter is on its way out.  As Friday is a day off, the imagery of family also re-emerges.  This is a subtle weekly reminder that I am not me on my own.  I know many pastors who do not take this seriously.  A day with the wife, waking when I want, eating what I want, doing what I want…is a strange thing because I am often surrounded with doubts and expectations.  It actually is hard to let that go, even for one day.

I am writing this as Sunday approaches, and I am thinking about Lent as a season in which one’s imago dei is recaptured.  It would be nice to always think of myself as created in God’s image, but that is not the case.  It would be nice to have that often before me, but that is not the case.  It would be nice to remember that as I am shoveling snow, but that is certainly not the case.  Furthermore, as Lent reminds us, the image of God within us is buried underneath a whole host of yucky stuff: sin, doubt, suffering, pain, disappointment, etc.  As I swept the walkway yesterday, I was reminded of how often I have to keep sweeping to find the path.  I need a strong broom, and I need to use it often.  I need a similar determination and routine if I am to remember the image of God within me.  It seems that 40 days out 365 might not be adequate.  So Lent can only be a start.

Disciplines scorecard.

1a)  Driving the speed limit–M did all the driving.  4:4

1b)  Foul language–Caught myself a few times.  2:4

2)  Fasting Lunch–Yes, except the two bowls of chips and salsa, plate o’ fries, greasy burger, etc.  So no. 1:4

3)  Giving up Facebook–I googled someone’s name and clicked on the 1st link which was their FB profile.  I saw some red numbers at the top which alerted me to the fact that others have been trying to contact me.  You can learn a lot in a 3 second accident.  3:4

4)  Reading–SI does not count.  1:4

5)  Something strictly between me and God–So far, so good, but that does not mean that I don’t struggle.  It’s just that this period of doing without has been good.  4:4

6)  Visiting Parishioners–Day off, so no.  1:4

7)  Guitar–No.  1:4