2014 Lenten Devotional

March 18, 2014

“The Promise” by Madeleine L’Engle

Published in The Ordering of Love (WaterBrook Press)

You promised
well, actually you didn’t promise very much, did you?
but that little is enough
is more than enough.
We fail you
over and over again
but you promised to be faithful to us
not to let us fail
beyond your forgiveness of our failure.
In our common temptation
you promised
we would not be tempted more than we are able
you promised not to lead us into temptation
beyond our frail strength
and you
yourself
are our refuge in temptation
our escape from the pit
and that is enough
so that we can bear
more than we thought we could bear
of loneliness, nothingness, otherness,
sin, silliness, sadness.
For thine is the kingdom and the other great fors:
forbearance, forgiveness
fortitude,
forever:
this is what you promised
it is enough
it is everything.