So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34-35
Sunday afternoon, after the wind blew away most of the clouds, I took Max for a relaxing walk around the extensive historic district where we are privileged to live.
We headed up St. Andrew Street, through the Town Common, all the way to The Grove and the Blount-Bridgers House, where the daffodils are starting to come out in the arboretum. Then we walked back down Main, admiring the lovely old homes, taking in the gorgeous sunshine.
As we made our way back through the town square, the brilliant blue hues of the sky around the courthouse caught my eye and I had to grab a photograph.
Finally we walked around the courthouse to Saint Patrick and the church, meandering all around our expansive block to take in the views from the west, the south, the east, and then the north; Saint Patrick Street, Pitt Street, Saint David Street then our street, Saint James.
Slides – looking from Patrick, Pitt, David, then James:
Just to breathe in the cool clear air and see the sun splash across the face of the world.
Journey Through Lent:
We are now well into the season of Lent. Some people get all morose and give up stuff for the next few weeks. Not me! Unless there is something that obviously gets in the way of my ability to see clearly, or my willingness to appreciate what I have, or my consciousness of this beautiful gift that is life.
Instead I will be looking to heighten my awareness of what Jesus was facing when he made his way to Jerusalem and the cross. I will be reading carefully through John’s account of The Last Supper with the intention of better understanding what the Lord wanted to highlight at that remarkable dinner together, the gathering of his closest friends.
To help me, I’m re-reading Reaching Toward Easter, a devotional book focused around Christ’s “let’s go over the highlights one more time” words in John 13-17.
So, while I don’t plan to be somber during this time I also don’t intend to take Lent lightly. This is my journey. Let me know about yours, and how you plan to be ready when Holy Week comes around?
Peace and more peace – DEREK
Images from a beautiful stroll:
