Well, I'm back.
I haven't really gone anywhere, I've just been away from this page for a year, because, as usual, I don't have much to say that's worthy of saying, but the time has come to begin again. The season of Lent is fast approaching, and my guilt at not having a very fulfilling Advent because of a lack of preparation has been gnawing at me. In my older age I've become lazy, bad physical health notwithstanding. I owe it to myself to be more disciplined in my day, in my thoughts and in my spiritual life. But he that knew not, and did things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much shall be required: and to whom they have committed much, of him they will demand the more. (Luke 12:48.) Well, that is probably me. God has given me so many good things, the things that make me happy, make me smile, make my life keep moving forward, all well and good, but I also see now that the trials and sufferings that I have on a daily basis are also wonderful gifts, perhaps the greatest gifts of all from God, for I believe that those sufferings are my penance for those lost years. Every day, in one book or another, I read about the Saints. I read how most suffered, for some longs years, others, dying young. I am not a saint, but I hope, before the end, I become one. I hope that when the end comes, I can go singing to the gallows, fairly confident that I have run the race. But, BUT, if I don't try to take this life to the next level, because I know God wants me to and St. Francis is up there staring down, waiting for me to show him what I'm worth, why I was called to be a Franciscan, then all is lost.
I jest, in many ways when I write, using dumb metaphors when I should be more serious... (singing to the gallows, up there staring down,). Perhaps because I see down the road and it scares me to death. There is no time to let one's guard down and Lent is a great time to dust off the armor and begin the battle. In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. Ephesians 6:16
And so, I begin again.
