Entitlement

Our first official day of Spring began at 1:40 am today. It's really a paper designation in view of the warm, spring-like days we've been enjoying, despite the interjection of some slightly cooler ones here and there. We're amazed at the mild winter and the easy slide into Spring and we can be lured into thinking that we are entitled to Florida weather from now on. If we stop for a moment, we catch ourselves and remember that we are entitled to nothing. All is gift.
The same with our Lenten journey: the efforts we are making to "turn our lives around and believe (act on) the Good News" will bear fruit as God's gift, not because we have earned it. If we depended on just our own efforts to "earn" heaven, we'd find ourselves far from those "pearly gates." But "with God, nothing is impossible" (Lk 1:37) and with God is the wisdom and the power that we need to journey successfully to him. O God, save me from the error of feeling entitled to a reward for all that I do, and teach me to rely on your saving grace and mercy. You alone are the Author of life and the Giver of all good gifts. I will never be put to shame by putting my trust in you.
Bro. Rene