February 18, 2026

Day 1 of Lent: Ash Wednesday. And so another season of Lent has arrived. Once again I will take on the spiritual practice of reading the Psalms. Although this year something a bit different; I am going to read poems written by the poets Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt which are inspired by each Psalm. In addition, as part of my daily gratitude journal, I will seek to answer the question, Where do I see God’s care for Creation today? (This practice comes out of my Lenten sermon series, “God’s Care.”)

Diana Butler Bass writes of spiritual practices: “Practice isn’t just something we do; practice is something that changes who we are.” Many years ago for Lent, I decided to write a daily gratitude in my journal. I continue the practice to this day. Bass goes on, “The more we practice our faith, the more we become the person God created us to be…”

Am I that “person” yet? Have I arrived? Am I a “completed” creation? No. There is still dross to burn, sins to confess, and ways of living which could be more oriented to others. I could be a bit more active, more prophetic, about “hooking” fish in today’s world. (See the Biblical Bite below for the context of this remark.) I am grateful for the season of Lent, where opening my willingness for God to melt, mold, fill, and use me can fulfill God’s purposes.

Rev. Eric