My days in Lent look different. My prayers rise from the humblest of places caring for my children – baths, potty training, spit up and speech delays. The days are no less holy than when I was serving a church as pastor.
Tonight, we gathered as a family for soup and crackers at the church, then I left with the kids before worship began. My only responsibility was to put the kids to bed.
As we brushed teeth and washed hands, the water splashed on the counter, and it was if I could feel the sign of the cross being made on my forehead. I could hear the words being spoken to me: You are a loved child of God.
Then we settled in for prayers. We marked the sign of the cross on our foreheads. You are a loved child of God.
I am grateful for the worship of my days feeding, cleaning, reading, bathing, and playing. I am grateful for the church whose doors extend all the way to the bedroom of my children.
This is worship. This is Lent.
This message is excerpted from “How baby kisses and toddler hugs mark my Lenten season” by Kimberly Knowle-Zeller from the March 12, 2018, blog of the Women of the ELCA.
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