This is the third year running in which I have read the church’s Lenten devotional–in 2024 it was 40 Days of Wisdom, in 2025 it was 40 Days of Discovery. This time, it was 40 Days of Courage.
I mean, it ties in with the sermon series we’ve had this season, but the variety is a little underwhelming. Whereas in years past, we’ve had a lot of contributions from different congregation members, this year the devotional features a higher percentage of pastors, including one who is retired but still preaches in our church on occasion (and whose wife is from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and who laughs like my aunt up in Hubertus, so if I spend any time around her, I run the risk of backsliding or propersliding into a Wisconsin accent). We also have a contribution from the pastor’s daughter and one from a high school member of the youth group, and a couple from members of the board, etc., but definitely a smaller sampling of voices than my previous experience. Which, I guess, means that I am sorry that my beautiful wife did not contribute three devotions this year.
I mean, otherwise, I don’t have much to say about it. I’ve mentioned that I’m not the target audience for devotionals.
Unlike some comic books, though, I did count this in the annual reading total. These are my arbitrary rules. If you don’t like them, I have others.
