Parish Nursing
“And the Lord said: I will give you a new heart, and place a new spirit within you, taking from your bodies your stony hearts, and giving you hearts of love. I will put my spirit within you, and make you live by my ways, careful to observe my decrees.” (Ezekiel 36: 26-27)
During this season of Lent, I would like to share the following, author unknown. It was used at our Genesys parish nurses support group meeting and seems to capture the whole essence of this time.
Lent–a season of fasting and feasting.
This holy season, let us think about our call to:
. Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them
. Fast from emphasis on our differences; feast on our oneness
. Fast from the darkness around us; feast on the light of Christ
. Fast on thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God
. Fast on words that pollute; feast on words that purify
. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude
. Fast from withholding anger; feast on sharing our feelings
. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism
. Fast from worry; feast on trust
. Fast from guilt; feast on freedom
. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation
. Fast from stress; feast on self-care
. Fast from hostility; feast on letting go
. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness
. Fast from selfishness; feast on compassion for others
. Fast from discouragement; feast on seeing the good
. Fast from apathy; feast on enthusiasm
. Fast from suspicion; feast on seeing the good
. Fast from idle gossip; feast on spreading good news
. Fast from being so busy; feast on quiet silence
. Fast from problems that overwhelm us; feast on prayerful trust
. Fast from talking; feast on listening
Fast from trying to be in control; feast on letting go
Loving God , let us fast from anything that leads us away from you and reach us to feast on all that brings us closer to you. Amen
Jo Miska B.S.R.N., Parish Nurse