We are nearing the end of our Lenten journey through the desert.  The whole purpose of Lent is to turn away from sin and to turn away from what distracts us from drawing closer to God. Yet every Lent I feel like an utter failure before God.

I look up to the cross where our Lord died to free me from sin.  Why is it so hard to turn away from sin? Why is it so hard to turn back to the Lord?

Although I usually have no time for poetry, I turn to this poem,Dust, from The Sacred Heart Online Prayer Retreat:       

Excerpt:  

Down in the dirt again,
Breathing the dust of the journey,
And that of my mortality,
How easy it is to fall;
How familiar the view
From the ground.
Lying in the dust,
The world spinning out of control,
I wonder if I will ever
Outgrow this place
Where I gaze into the face
Of the dust from which I came.

My heart wants to soar with You
Like on eagle’s wings,
But my wings break so easily
And I am down in the dust again.

Does Your Heart of Compassion
Pour out at my failures?
You who have the vision of eagles
And can see my smallness
From such heights,
Will You rescue me?
Will You carry me
On Your wings?

I long to be all You desire,
But only You know the Way.
And it seems only splinted to Your Cross
Am I raised from the ground
And stand in You.

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