Lent’s approaching,.

Lent’s approaching, and every year when it does, I write a letter for the Parish Magazine about giving stuff up and taking stuff up for the good of our souls!  But what good does it really do I wonder?  Perhaps this – giving up that which so easily distracts us and taking up that which helps us to focus on what is truly important, helps us to better see ourselves, others, and God more clearly.  That has got to be good for us, and most especially when we live in an age where there are so many distractions that prevent us from seeing more clearly.  Something that the following poem expresses so beautifully (replace the word ‘nurses’ with whatever works best for you)…..

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking, when you look at me,
A crabbie old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,
Who, quite unresisting, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding the long day to fill.
I’ll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I move at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of 10 with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who loved one another.
A bride now at 20 — my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
At 25 now I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a secure happy home,
At 50 once more babies play around my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread,
For my young are all busy with young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I’ve known.
The body it crumbles, grace and vigour depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart,
But inside this old carcass, a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I’m loving and living life over again,
I think of the years all too few — gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, nurse, open and see,
Not a crabbie old woman, look closer — see ME.
By Phyllis McCormack

Whatever you take up or give up this Lent I really do hope that it helps you see more clearly.

Yours in Christ

Simon