February 24, 2023
At the family-centered Ash Wednesday service this week, we all gathered together around the altar during Communion, noting that Communion sounds a lot like community. We talked about how during our Eucharistic Prayers we begin by telling the story of God and God's people, and we give thanks.
I invited the kids to share with me some things that remind them of God's presence, and these thanksgivings became part of our Eucharistic Prayers. "Family", one child said. "Family!", I repeated. "Friends", another child said. "Friends!", I repeated. "Pets", were included next. "Pets!", I affirmed. Then one of our young Saint Anne's said, "Alaskan kids". Alaskan kids? An image of kids bundled up and playing happily in the snow popped into my head. Ok, I thought, in our Eucharistic Prayers, right next to our ancestor Abraham (and our ancestor Abraham Lincoln, added by one young Saint Annian), we will be thankful for Alaskan kids.
"Alaskan kids!", I added to the mix. "What?", the child asked. "Alaskan kids!", I repeated. "Nooooo", the child laughed. "I said we can be thankful for laughing kids. Ohhh.... Laughing kids, not Alaskan kids. Now that made us all laugh!
And now the phrase "Alaskan kids" won't leave my head. In the middle of an email, or a Zoom call, or while walking my dogs, I will suddenly think "Alaskan kids!" In a way I cannot quite explain, it has been a delightful gift. For some reason, the unexpected way "Alaskan kids" showed up at our Communion table, asking me to simply give thanks without question, has made me more aware of God showing up all around us in unexpected ways. Made me more aware of finding thanksgiving, without questions, in all kinds of situations.
I have decided my Lenten practice this year will be to keep myself open to completely unusual thanksgivings. Manifestations of God that I might not previously considered. I will strive to find one new revelation of God each day. If I ever wonder if, perhaps, the revelation I've found is too unexpected, I will think "Alaskan kids at the Communion table" and I will give thanks without question.
My prayer for you this week, and this Lent, is to find a simple, daily, Lenten practice that allows you to experience God in new, and maybe unexpected, manners and places. And I would love to hear all about it.