As I prepare for this day in the quiet moments, with dogs fed and cat curled, purring, at my side, my thoughts drift to a chance encounter with a stranger over the gas pumps at Costco yesterday.

While each of us busied ourselves with securing our payment and selecting our fuel grade, our eyes met briefly as the tanks began to fill. He was an older gentleman with long gray hair pulled back in a low ponytail which the wind teased loose around his ears. The bumper sticker on his Kia read, “I love my Granddogs.”

We greeted one another with a quick hello, hesitant smile and head nod. There must have been something in my face which betrayed my false bravado for he said to me, “You know, we are all going to get through this.”

At that moment I realized the depth of our human connection in this time of unprecedented uncertainty. Yes, most of us will get through this. Yet in this period of vital physical distancing from one another, my craving for deeper, spiritual connection to one another, to my inner voice, and to God clamors to be heard.

In this time of Lenten reflection, may we find the deeper connections we seek to strengthen our spirit, strength, faith and hope.