I took a picture of these drooping daffodils because I was feeling a little like them.  Having been sick with bronchitis, a secondary infection from that and then finally shingles, I too was ready to fall over.

            Then I read this line from Psalm 32:6--Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of the mighty waters shall not reach them.

            I looked at the daffodils in a new light, what if they were simply a symbol of being folded in prayer.  Rather than looking at them as defeated compared to the dying but still standing mates in the vase, I looked at them as giving in to God as opposed to resisting God.  The other daffodils were still standing, but were they really alive?

            At my first pastoral appointment I was blessed to know a woman who was in a wheelchair as a result of polio.  Helen's was the first funeral I presided over.  I learned so much from her and her family as they shared her story.  She was the oldest of 7 or 8 children and acquired polio at the age of 2.  She learned to “walk” really using her hands; she climbed stairs and did what everyone else did in her family.  She was very bright, and loved to read to her brothers and sisters.  At some point in her life Helen realized that she needed to be in a wheelchair.

          Some may think this was a sign of giving up or of weakness, but to Helen it was a choice to remain strong.  Once she was in the wheelchair she had more energy to do all the things she wanted to do, she could get places quicker stay up later!  As she got older she realized she could no longer drive herself to the places she wanted to go.  Again she had to assess her energy; she needed to accept weakness in order to embrace her strength.  Helen was constantly readjusting her life, therefore living a vital life all of her life.

          This is really our story, as we deal with illnesses, grief or simply age, sometimes we have to accept our weaknesses in order to be strong again. Giving up on something that is non-productive or is preventing us from our best work, worship and love is not caving to weakness; we are made strong by our honesty.

            How much energy does it take to fight God's plea for us to fold in prayer, how much energy does it take to stand even when there is every indication in our lives that it may be time to fold over and regain strength?

            There is no better time than Lent to look at how we spend our time, money and energy.  No better time to bend in prayer and look at what we can let go of in order to be strong.