Remember When (Day 7, Tuesday)

February 21, 2021, By: Jimmy Scruggs

Starter Prayer: God of good memories, help me perceive your closeness in our sweetest moments and in our boldest acts for justice and mercy. Amen

Focus Phrase: Remember When

I remember when I was struggling with an important decision and asked my spiritual director for help with how to pray. He suggested I ask God the question: What do you think we should do about this? And he said to also imagine God tossing the question back at me: Katie, what do YOU think we should do about this?

It was a novel suggestion that worked. Meaning, it gave me some fresh vision for prayer, and it expanded my imagination beyond the typical expectations for how one goes about getting answers from God.

Rev. Sarah Are’s poem, “Remember When,” may have some good spiritual direction for you on this first Tuesday of Lent.

Be encouraged in your practice,

Katie Martinez

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

  • Read aloud the poem on page 7 of the devotional, Again & Again. (Poetry is meant for the ear!). The link is in every Journey email. If you’re not getting those, register here.
  • Re-read Mark 1:9-15 and Rev. Denise Anderson’s reflection on p. 8.
  • Questions for journaling and spiritual conversation:
    • What would God say to you in a “Remember When” letter? What are the best memories and favorite moments of your life?
    • How does it feel to think about God being with you in those moments and loving them as much as you do?
    • How can you keep the Focus Word or Starter Prayer with you today?

ENDNOTES:

  • For daily texts with the Focus Word, Starter Prayer and link to these daily posts, text the word “lent” to 970-500-0970.
  • Join Ryan on Facebook Live, every weekday morning at 10am for spiritual conversation on these Lent themes.
  • Looking for the link to the digital devotional or your copy of the print version? Register here.
  • Join the Orange Dots of Hope Facebook Group for spiritual conversations.

This is part of Again & Again: Journey of Lent 2021 with Crossroads Church. The theme, devotional booklet, poetry and art is the work of the creative community of theologians and artists at A Sanctified Art. Crossroads is grateful for this resource!