This I recall to my mind,

Therefore I have hope.

The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:21-23 (New American Standard Version)

Lent and Eastertide of 2021 came and went without much notice from me.

Last year was a particularly difficult year. Scattered amongst the few times of peace was a lot of hurt, a lot of learning, a lot of discipline from the Lord. I cannot remember how I felt when Easter Sunday arrived, but I do remember that for most of the year my heart was not focused on reverence; rather, it was focused on confusion and anger, doubt and fear, and a deep, deep hurt.

As I began to look forward to this year’s season of Lent and Eastertide, I realised with thankfulness that my soul, although still grieving and at times unsure about where the Lord is leading, is no longer angry or weary. It’s probably helped that this past winter where I live has been very mild, with quite a number of spring-ish days sprinkled in, lots of sunshine, and birds singing glory to their Maker. Whatever the reason, I am so thankful that I can enter into this year’s Lenten season with a more focused heart and mind, that God’s mercies are great and new every morning.

In 2020 and in 2021 I read through Preparing for Easter: Fifty Devotional Readings from C. S. Lewis. As much as I enjoy this anthology, I’ve opted to read something different this year, The Word in the Wilderness: A Poem a Day for Lent and Easter by Malcolm Guite. Guite’s commentary and poetry accompany this anthology of poems from various men and women throughout the years.