This is it. The end. And I just found out I’ve been doing it wrong all along.

Today’s challenge I saved for last. That’s a lie. I put it off till last. Because I didn’t “have time”. I should have started with it, and used it as a guide the whole way. But no. I thought I knew best. What a joke.

As a reader, I am constantly finding things I want to read and people are relentless in their recommendations to me. As I am to them. And I appreciate it! I have found many great reads from the persuasion of others. But what with book club, and books I have had on loan through READS for eons, plus the ones I continue to buy and pile up, I am inundated with material. So when I asked my Aunt Brenda what to pray for and what to fast in her honor, and she said, “I want you to read the book of Matthew,” I will admit, I swallowed hard and immediately began thinking, “well, I’ve got plenty of time to get to it.”

And here I am, on the last day, middle of the afternoon, a full six Lent writings behind, and only in the eighth chapter of 28. The reading isn’t hard, and it is quite enlightening, the stories familiar and comforting, but I don’t think I’m gonna make it what with all my other procrastinated duties coming to a head today. I did get laundry done, though.

Anyway. it’s raining again, an event that is keeping me from my beloved Chickalay. So at least it’s conducive to reading and writing. Did you know that in Matthew is where we find the Lord’s Prayer? You know, the one that so many recite before suppertime? “Our father, which art in Heaven…” etc. It is frequently used by families each day…and that’s good that they’re praying, but the Bible tells us NOT to do this very thing: And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. It goes on to give us the prayer as a template to follow as HOW to pray. Or that’s what my Study Bible version says. And that makes sense to me. Six requests total: three for the kingdom to come, and three for Him to fulfill the needs until the kingdom arrives. I try to use the five parts like this: 1) Adoration-love of our Lord. words are nothing if they don’t come from the heart. Adoration will help you get in that heart felt praying zone. 2) Supplication-to ask humbly by praying. This is why Jesus taught not to pray as hypocrites in the synagogues, and not to use vain repetitions. We are to pray humbly, and not praying to be seen. Prayer should be an intimate relationship between you and God. 3) Thanksgiving-Expression of gratitude. In Philippians Paul taught us to worry about nothing, pray about anything, and be thankful for all things. 4) Intercession-petition of another 5) Confession-the act of confessing. God forgives us over and over. Of course, we are to try to overcome the stumbling blocks, but God will continue to forgive us. Why? Because he is God. I found the description more eloquent that how I would have phrased it from this page: http://chadlavender.blogspot.com/2006/06/five-parts-of-prayer.html

And I’ve referred to this many times over the year, I have it printed out and stuck in my Bible. The Five Finger Prayer from https://faithhub.net/five-finger-prayer/

The first is the thumb, because it’s the nearest to you. Begin your prayers by praying for those closest to your heart; family, friends, etc. They are the most important people in our lives.

The second is the index finger. This one should remind us to pray for those that are the furthest away from us. Those that we cannot reach but can point to.

The third is the tallest and largest finger. It should remind us to pray for our leaders; our president, prime minister, leaders of business and industry, clergy or administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion and need God’s guidance.

The fourth is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray enough for them.

The fifth is our little finger – the smallest of all. Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

Matthew begins a little dense, one of those books that starts with genealogy (who begot whom) but you can skim over that and go straight to Christ’s birth. We learn how Joseph obeyed the word of God as it was presented in dreams and moved around to protect his Son. We learn that John was sustained by eating locusts and wild honey and was baptizing believers in the River Jordan. And then we get to the “Beatitudes”, which are nice to read.

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. ² Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

5 ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the ^[aearth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Doesn’t that make you feel all warm and cozy and loved? Matthew goes on to teach us not to cuss, that “No” and “Yes” are enough; no adjectives are needed. It tells us not to worry, especially about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. It tells us not to judge, or to run with people who are not believers. It tells us to ask the Almighty for what we want. And here’s something I have always believed– because the right way is rarely the popular way. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

And so after reading through all this, I realize I’ve been doing it all wrong. “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. ¹⁷ But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Have I seemed sad? I was sad on the day I couldn’t have sugar, for sure. And I was aggravated on my no dairy days. That’s no way to be!! But I didn’t think I was supposed to be actively enjoying it. I did find purpose–I felt empathy for those who lived without sugar as a way of life because they had no choice. And then I got on here and griped to y’all, negating the good I had found. And I prayed aloud, or as I assume this counts since I have an audience. But we’re supposed to gather and pray? The Bible is full of contradictions and it’s no wonder there are so many religions and interpretations and people are confused on what is right and wrong. I say- do what feels right in your heart, for He knows our heart. Show people love, and how they’re not supposed to look to individuals here on Earth for guidance, to look to the One.

So that’s as far as I’m going to go with this particular post in terms of scripture. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Imagine the solitude and darkness and grief that were felt on this day. But it’s okay. Everything is going to be okay. It’s gonna be FANTASTIC and JUBILANT, as a matter of fact. You just gotta get through THIS day.

Many of you know my Aunt Bren. She’s been a big part of my life since the beginning. She always treated me like a little lady, and we had a great many adventures together. I’m so glad she’s back home! She worked out of state for many years and was only home sporadically. I truly don’t know what I’d do without her. I cannot elaborate enough what this woman means to me and how she helps me through most any trial and celebrates my accomplishments. Her door is always open to me AND my friends, and she is always up for a ride with me on any mundane errand. I hope that each of you have someone like this in your life. She didn’t give me a list of things to pay for, but I think I know a few. She would want me to speak of Uncle Dale first and foremost, mainly for his health concerns, her sisters whom I’ve been around many times (especially Miss Shirley, who is just down the road), her friend Kevin in Kentucky, and the safety of us all. I won’t put her specific prayer on here (seeeeee???? I CAN be taught!) but I will say that you are free to join me on these requests. I think I should also ask for some divine intervention for their cabin, because the roof continues to leak no matter how many times they have it looked at. It’s a big fine home, but something about the metal roofing around the dormers has never been right and with all this rain it’s really a problem.

I will say that even though I’ve evidently been doing this all wrong by putting the prayers on here, it has been a blessing to me. It has held me accountable- you can’t just start something like this and not see it through. I’ve found new ways to pray, new people and things to be thankful for, and essentially a new way of looking at life. Easter brings another kind of renewal to all of us, and I hope you are all feeling refreshed in your hearts. I hope that you have enjoyed this journey with me. I hope you maybe learned something, and if not, I just hope it wasn’t a waste of time. I hope we all find new ways to love one another. I hope you all go forward and BE BLESSED.

Love from Appalachia,

Amy xoxo