PrayingWithMyFingers

Dear God,

The day has been blessed with a visit from Blanche.  Good friends are one of Your greatest blessings and, I have missed my friend, Blanche.  As You will recall, we had some trouble May 2008 and that was her last visit until today.

For a very long time, I thought our falling out was due to a political disagreement on Obama but when Blanche and I started talking again I discovered that it was the way I had behaved and the way I had spoken to her that upset our communication and our relationship.  Today’s prayer in Lent & Easter says, “Let me recognize by your grace and teaching the sins of my mouth, the harm I do so casually by my malicious words.  Let me fast this Lent from all talk that puts down my neighbor, reviles my perceived enemies, and creates division instead of community.”

In the afternoon, we went to see the movie, “A Single Man.”  The story follows a college professor through a day in his life after the loss (by accident) of his long-time partner.  We see that the mask that he presents to the world and what is going on inside his mind and heart are very different.  On the outside he appears calm and collected while at the same time he is planning his own suicide.  I think this is a great reminder of how little we may know about the minds and hearts of others and that judging by looking at the outside is not a good idea.

After the movie, on to massage.  I like to get deep-tissue massage to help with the stress I carry in my body.  After three weeks in Tallahassee, I have plenty of that!  It’s rather ironic that I go into massage with the idea of a pleasurable experience when, in fact, it is often very painful.  Ultimately, yes, I end up with a good result and, am relaxed and happy at the end.  Lent seems very similar.  I go into it because I want to achieve a better feeling about myself and my life.  But, while I am going through it, it doesn’t feel all that great.  You, God push and pull and massage my mind and heart in an effort to get me to that better place.  You have to push and pull at me in order to remove my sins and make an open space for Your Light and Love to shine through.  I pray that You will help me to remain willing to receive my Spiritual massage.  Like Tiger Woods, sometimes we all have to choose between our appetites and the needs of our souls.