What would you grab if your house was on fire? Many people asked me that question after my house burned down on Christmas of 1989. “What did you grab?” people inquired as they painfully thought of all the things they would grab on the way out of the house. These were things they couldn’t live without. Before I answer that question, let me take a minute to give you background on this story.

Have you ever looked down at your gas gauge and thought, Uh oh! The orange light is on and looks like the tank is on Empty! Moving along on fumes to get the gas station usually works, but there was one time (that I will admit) when Carl and I did indeed run out of gas and had to walk home. Granted, it was just about a mile walk, but when you’re wearing heels and it’s a hot Florida summer night, that can be a long walk! An empty gas tank is an easy “empty” to fix – go get the gas can, fill the tank, and you are back in business. Personal emptiness is so much more difficult than an empty gas tank.

Several weeks ago, I attended the funeral of my boyfriend’s grandfather, a dearly beloved old man. On the back of the bulletin, his wife chose to inscribe one of their favorite quotes, which she thought fitting: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world could ever satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” - C.S. Lewis When I noticed the quote, I stared at it for a whole minute in surprise. For several years, since I first read it, this has been one of my favorite lines, and it echoes in my head quite often. This spring, more often than usual.

This weekend a part of our church family heads out on a retreat weekend - our middle and high school students! We will be exploring the depths of Scripture together - from how the Bible was put together and the lenses that we bring to how we read the Bible, to looking at the big story of God that Scripture tells and where we find ourselves in it. We need your specific prayers!

"I don't like Lent." Who said that? Full disclosure: I did. Is that even allowed? Before you decide one way or the other, ask yourself this: Do you like Lent?