I am fairly certain that the two most powerful words in the English language are, “Me, too.”
Yesterday, I told you of my longing for an autumn version of Lent. I told you about how I needed there to be another time of the year when my heart was turned toward surrender.
Turns out that I am not the only one to have ever felt that way.
This is the Jewish month of Elul which is the last month of the Jewish year. For the last month of their year, the Jewish people focus on repentance. They look for places in themselves that are dying or leading toward death. Each of these tender places is held until Rosh Hashanah, or New Year’s. On Rosh Hashanah, the Jews celebrate when the Creator made the world from His voice and they attempt to enter a new year with a fresh, clean slate. Ten days after Rosh Hashanah is Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement when the sins of the people are taken away.
From now until Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sunset on September 24th this year I want to challenge you to turn your heart towards repentance as well.
Let’s look, with gentleness, towards the places in us that may be letting go…turning yellow, orange, or crimson. 
When it is time, let’s release them with grace as they dance on the wind of change.
And when the day arrives, let’s celebrate the world made new again!
