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Restore


Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in. - Isaiah 58:6-12

We are in the final stretch of Lent. Holy Week is just around the corner. Soon our fasting will come to an end.
As these 40 days of Lent count down, are we prepared to be the repairer of the breach and the restorer of streets to live in?

First, I did not fast during Lent.  In fact, I did not deprive myself of anything.  I, did, however, add to my Lenten practice by blogging about the prompts each day and Praying in Color (most days).  I am NOT "prepared to be the repairer of the breach and the restorer of streets," but I am prepared to help when and where I can.  Last night I met with a couple ladies from church, and we discussed the book Sabbath by Wayne Muller.  I appreciate that we are all ready to admit that we are working on taking a sabbath even if it's merely a sabbath of fifteen minutes.  Like many, I struggle with trying to do "too much".  Sometimes I need to take care of myself before I take care of others.  Today I did that by getting a pedicure with a dear friend.  Perhaps, I'll start by becoming a "restorer" of my personal streets.

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