Sitting in worship, I have been pondering our altar parament, its words, and the hymn that is guiding our Wandering Hearts, following Peter’s discipleship with Jesus during this season of Lent. Researching the hymn’s origin, it was written in 1758 when its author, Robert Robinson was about twenty years old. Leaving school at an early age to support his widowed mother, Robert apprenticed with a barber but later became a wild youth. Listening to a preacher, Mr. Whitfield, Robert was converted onto a Christian path and later wrote this famous hymn.

So, how does one “tune my heart to sing thy grace”? This season of Lent has created many opportunities to reflect upon the tune. How is your heart responding? Is it filled with questions, overwhelmed with daily health, financial or family concerns?

First, the greatest challenge to listening is creating space a few minutes each day to open the ears of one’s heart to listen to its message. Practicing slow deep rhythmic breathing, in and out, for just a few minutes can create a sense of peace and an opening that invites new opportunities.

There are devotionals and daily messages available in print, online and Facebook for Lent that create prompts that invite you to reflect upon how Peter’s journey as a disciple following Jesus might contrast with your own life path.

Karen Wagner’s class “River of Grace” is presenting opportunities to think about one’s own faith and reflect upon the importance of carefully listening, and communicating with others,

We invite you to stop by the church to walk the labyrinth during the day on Tuesdays-9:00AM-3:00PM and from 5:00PM -8:00PM in the evening. Meditative walking is a great way to open your heart reflect upon or hear God’s song in new ways.

As we journey through this season of Lent and embrace signs of Spring, God’s handiwork within nature invites us to reflect upon how individually, we are called to open our hearts to new growth, ways of listening, and being in community. May pondering Peter’s journey invite you to discern the divine invitation to “tune your Heart to sing God’s grace” during this holy season.

Blessings, grace and peace,
Rev. Catherine