Joy from ashes

Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. I usually do some type of discipline, ranging from giving up eating out Friday night to increasing my exercise schedule to reading various spiritual books.

This year I decided to focus on giving thanks in everything. It actually says in 1 Thessalonians to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." In "The Message" it reads: "Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live."

Sounds like a commandment to me. This is how God wants me to live, therefore I must obey. And so, for the next 5 weeks, I will give thanks in all things.

Some things are easy. For instance, this little girl I give thanks for every day. Maybe Lent won't be so difficult this year after all.

Alexis Annette Summers