Write On

Over the weekend I began working on a new writing assignment, a page for the daily devotional guide my church will produce for Lent. With the first days of 2009 already flown into the past, Ash Wednesday (February 25) will be here before we know it.

Each one of us numerous writers has been given scriptures assigned to a specific date, according to the daily lectionary, and asked to return a brief meditation and a prayer for the day. This model has been extremely successful and popular; the current project is the third seasonal publication of its kind in two years.

I highlight this project for two reasons. One is to celebrate the gifts and wisdom of our particular congregation, that allow them to share insights that inspire and sentiments that resonate with so many who read them.

The second is to point out that, given a set of text or presented with a situation (an assignment; a challenge), somehow we can all make a connection or draw on lessons learned, to share a story of our common journey that is authentic and worthy.