Approaching Lent 2016

A very happy 2016 to all of you.

Already we are approaching Lent. I feel totally blessed by the love our Lord is giving me.

I am able to spend three months on the Island of Tenerife. It is so beautiful I can’t even describe it. It looks like at one point the earth bubbled and all these mountains appeared in different sizes. It is a volcanic Island filled with different blooming cacti surrounded by clear blue water. It is one of the Canary Islands, Spain.

 

Many English and German retirees spend their winters here. Our son moved with his family here last August. He wanted us to experience the island he learned to love over the last few years. It is truly a blessing to be able to do this.

We have such an amazing Lord. We have found a church where we can be part of the celebration of the Sunday mass in English. It is a smaller church but filled with people.

The population on the island is mostly Spanish and also Catholic. As we experience the different areas of the island I can truly say “I feel loved beyond measure.”

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

We all heard these words many times. Mary said yes without knowing all she said yes to. She had so much love to give, that is probably why God chose her for the mother of Jesus. It took much love to be able to handle all Jesus had to go through. Yet the world was not ready to accept His love. He was born for us, for each one of us. He loves us so much. There are many days when I call out: “Lord, please come and hold me close.” All I can hear is, “I am already with you. Just trust me fully, I know you well. It is my promise, I am with you always.” Immediately I will feel His Love and Peace and Joy filling my being.

As we approach lent, I meditate often on the suffering our Lord did for us. I will re-read “Can you drink the Cup?” by Henri Nouwen. We are all asked to carry our cross. And each one of us has a different cross to carry. It is good to remember that our Lord will not allow our cross to be too heavy to carry. If we call out: “Lord, please hold my hand”, He will.

He died on the cross for us because He loved us so much. He rose again to be one with the Father. Just knowing how much our Lord loved us and still does will make it possible for us to carry our cross and share the love the Lord gives us. Lord please teach me to truly understand your sacrifice for me. You died for me, yes for me, because you love me so much. We just have to believe. Lord I truly believe and I will hold you in my heart forever. What a blessing you are for me.

My promise to you is again— I will share your love wherever I go from sunrise to sunset.

Thank you Lord for loving me.