I gave up chocolate for Lent

And thought it would be hard

But actually I spent

No time grieving the loss

At all

Gave up movies on TV

Which consumed an evening that could

Otherwise be spent

On something deeper for the soul

A book, a conversation with my son

A sunset observed

A scrapbook done

Gave up these things to You

Not for themselves, but simply because

I felt I wanted to

You know, Lord,

My sacrifices are so few

And as I gave, I tried,

I try

To think of all You gave

And why

And Praise You for the gift

I think ‘What if

You never gave?’

How then, my soul, could you be saved?

And giving all

You brought new life

As I contemplate

This great

Act of giving

I am struck by all that is living

Just outside my window here

A daffodil

Peeks its yellow sprout

Out

And shakes its head

A hyacinth, all purple splendor

Blooms fragrant just beyond the window

And birds, all kinds, are flocking to the yard

In search of seed or worm

Our rusty mutt runs circles hard

And fast

And barks as wind and cars go past

And fish, all sizes, black and gold

Swim lazily beneath the surface

Of the pond that was frozen over

Only days ago.

All has thawed

And so my soul, too,

Is warming up again to You