Grind those ashes to heart

"Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be." Thomas a Kempis

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of a journey of change and renewal. Sometimes we have to mark the weeks, set the days, and cross off the hours to ensure we are living as God intended. Lent marks such an occasion for us. Our gut emotions often betray our inner needs and unwarranted anger is often the sign of that distress. Let us sort ourselves out this Lent. Let us make repentance something practical, tangible and all together joyful for those in the wake of our transformation in Christ.

Walk the dog

Yesterday I fumed so, enough to pop an artery. Thinking it gone I marched off into the day with many a visit and encounter. Alas, the same red fury stormed into my heart and lungs and had to be leashed each time it jumped for a bite. This dog called anger caged and snarling with saliva stained fangs and throaty growl is chained behind civility and decorum. It runs the hardened fence path to and fro looking for a gap, a hole to escape. Oh how I pity the stranger and those unaware of it fury. The beast is taught its tricks from long ago lessons, its an old dog with little penchant for learning. I wonder how those yellow stained eyes might soften if gently spoken, kindly stroked and a bone thrown for easy distraction. Today, the night has passed and the pillow has spoken. I push the dog away as it licks my face and barks for my attention. Another day, another chance at playing fetch and walking in the park.