This a wonderful time to take a look at the condition of our hearts. Is it hard or soft? Is it willing to stretch, or has it become calloused and rigid. At the Ash Wednesday service today at All Saints the Priest read Psalm 51 where David pours his heart out to God. He is contrite and after having been confronted by Nathan sees his sin and asks the Lord to change his heart.
“Have mercy on me, O God according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. . . Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the JOY of your SALVATION and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. . . The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. . .”

Lent is a wonderful time for examination, for fresh starts and knowing God’s grace is new every morning. It is not our goodness that reconciles us to God, but the work of our Savior that is complete in Christ Jesus and His sacrifice on the Cross. We are reconciled to God and lent gives us the opportunity to cherish this Good News. Praise God! It makes Easter morning all the more exciting. xxoo