Fears and Tears

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice in it and be glad. Psalm 118:24

Laetare Sunday is the halfway mark of the Lenten Season. Laetare means “rejoice” in Latin. It is a time to see that the light of the day grows longer, as it shines brightly and ushers in a feeling of hope. It is a moment of being made new. A time of transformation in the desert.

I take a step forward and fall, I get up and take a few steps forward, and I fall again. I get up and begin walking. The deep sand makes it difficult to move but I continue forward. There is a gentle and serene breeze that tousles my hair and touches my face.

I notice something in the smooth, warm sand; it is a single pink rose. I pick it up and breathe in a sweet fragrance while a few of its petals fall to the ground.

The thorns prick my finger and droplets of blood fall to the ground; I notice a dark crimson color in contrast to the pale, golden color of the sand.

I feel a moment of pain but it quickly disappears. The beauty of the rose is worth the pain, and I keep walking in the desert with the Lord. He cares for me, and I rejoice that He is near.