Page 23 - Lenten Devotional 2023

Sunday, March 5 (cont)

proved her life’s work wasn’t done. Recently, just inside of a month of her 12th birthday,
death came calling once again. Only this time, Makayla ran out of fight. Or, maybe, her

work here was done? You see, despite her health issues and her cognitive deficiencies,
Makayla was a light in the darkness. She took special care of all parts of the world
around her. She paid special attention to all creatures great and small. From the insects

she discovered crawling around in her yard, to the birds that sang to her from the trees
to her favorite butterflies, Makayla was always looking for a way to help make life easier
for all things around her, even as she toiled to make her way through her own. When

asked what she wanted for her birthday dinner her pick was her brother's favorite, not
hers. When jobs were passed out at home, Makayla’s job was to serve as the official
hugger. Her tasks were to make sure everyone else was taken care of. Makayla’s life

surely wasn’t long enough. At the same time, despite all of her trials and tribulations,
she made the most of her time on this earth. And now she gets to rest easy after a life
well lived. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

~Sherri & Gene Cotter (27 yrs with First Lutheran)

Prayer
Loving Spirit, strengthen us in the darkness of this life. Come to us as a mother
responds to the voice of her child. Hear us when we turn to you in prayer. Stand beside

us in our suffering and hear our voice of anguish when the pain of life is simply too deep
to bear. Hear our voice as we express our joys and sorrows and make your presence
known to us. Help us to live in faith and surround us with the love of your creation.

Amen.

Reflection Questions
How do you understand what it means to be perfectly made in Christ and still
acknowledge your shortcomings and imperfections?
In what ways do you see beauty in your imperfections?

How might you see God working through these imperfections and shortcomings to
bring you into a closer relationship with God?