Thursday of the fourth week in lent

​Date:  March 31
Lectionary Link:  https://www.lectionarypage.net/WeekdaysOfLent/ThursFourthWeek.html
Contributor:  Ann Trapnell
 
A dear friend from St. Christopher’s recently reminded me of a passage I’m sure most of us are familiar with; it has caused me to reflect quite a bit about friendship over the past few days.
"Today was a Difficult Day," said Pooh.
There was a pause.
"Do you want to talk about it?" asked Piglet.
"No," said Pooh after a bit. "No, I don't think I do."¬¬¬
"That's okay," said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.
"What are you doing?" asked Pooh.
"Nothing, really," said Piglet. "Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don't feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.
"But goodness," continued Piglet, "Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you've got someone there for you. And I'll always be here for you, Pooh."
And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, while the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly, swinging his little legs…he thought that his best friend had never been more right."
~ A.A. Milne
 
Today’s collect is a wonderful prayer discussing what I find to be a very important Lenten intention, although it sounds quite difficult to me:
Almighty and most merciful God, drive from us all weakness of body, mind, and spirit; that, being restored to wholeness, we may with free hearts become what you intend us to be and accomplish what you want us to do…
Life is often difficult. Perhaps being what God wants us to be, and doing what God wants us to do, doesn’t always have to be.
Some days, this may mean nothing more than Be a Friend. One who is happy to sit in quiet but loving solidarity with another. A simple act with the capacity to strengthen and nourish both parties.
It is this strength and nourishment I find sitting in the pews (or online!) at St. Christopher’s. Sitting in quiet but loving solidarity with so many friends. Whether today is a Pooh Day or a Piglet Day for you, may the discovery and intention of this Lenten season bless you with community and friends.