Lent began four weeks ago with many people receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday. Early Christians wore sackcloth and covered themselves in ashes after confessing their sins to God. Some wore ash crosses on their foreheads. Fasting was also a requirement for true repentance. Wearing sackcloth and ashes along with fasting was a Jewish tradition that early Christians continued. We continue this tradition today with ashes and fasting, but wearing sack cloth has been forgotten.

I thought I was being clever when I wrote a skit for our church pre-Lenten service and created a few articles of clothing from burlap. A friend told me a fashion show had used that idea and the creations were amazing. Mine weren’t amazing but fun. I really liked my burlap tie and burlap prayer shawl. It’s too bad my pastors didn’t embrace my idea. Wearing sackcloth could return; I’ll be ready!

Lent is a solemn, quiet time to draw nearer to God and I wrote the skit to put some humor in the program. I like Lent because it occurs in early spring when nature is awakening from its winter slumber. I’ve been outside uncovering plants and pruning my roses and delighting in God’s creations. As I pruned I thought about repentance. Before one repents, he must first confess his sin to God. That’s like pruning the dead from my roses. It’s pruning the soul. The rose bush looks better after a deep pruning and a person feels better. The hardest thing to prune from our soul is unforgiveness. Lent is the perfect time to prune that out and give it to God. We say, Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us, in the Lord’s Prayer. It takes a hard, deep pruning to forgive someone, but it feels like a weight has been lifted once it’s done. I know.

Lent is a hopeful time. For Ohioans, we hope for spring to come quickly and stay. For Christians, it’s a time to develop a closer relationship with God. I heard someone say that confessing our sins to God is embarrassing, but he already knows them so get over yourself! I laughed, but it rings true. God is a loving father who wants us to talk to him. He gave us his son who is our best friend and he delights us with his beautiful creations. I have to mention my bluebirds have returned and that delights me.

May Lent be a time to draw closer to God and enjoy spring’s beauty. The daffodils and crocuses are receiving praises now, but tulips will soon be replacing them. Spring provides many reasons for us to give thanks to God. Happy Spring!