Fierce. Honest. Bold.

The above photo, taken by New York Times photographer Sarahbeth Maney on the first day of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings, is a powerful image that’s been shared widely on social media. It shows Judge Jackson’s daughter Leila viewing her mother, the first black woman nominee in our nation’s history, with a palpable combination of love, pride and admiration.

For me, this photo brought to mind Peace Church’s Lenten mantra of “40 Days of Love: Fierce. Honest. Bold.” Leila Jackson’s love for her mother captured in this photo is no doubt all three – fierce, honest and bold. It made me wonder…if a photographer followed me around living my ever-so-exciting daily life (note the thick sarcasm in the prior phrase), how long would it take her to capture an expression like this on my face? Although I certainly feel in my heart that I love those closest to me with this type of ferocity, do they feel it? Do I communicate it to them through my facial expressions, words and actions? Sadly, I don’t think so.

During these last few weeks of Lent, let us consider how we can not only love those around us in a way that’s fierce, honest and bold, but also how we can better communicate that love to them.

Creator, please guide our hearts and minds to focus not only on how we’re loving others, but the ways through which we express our love to them. Inspire us to be creative and tenacious in the means we use to present our love so that their hearts may be filled. Amen.

Amanda is a self-proclaimed work in progress. She’s been a member of Peace Church since 2019 and is incredibly grateful for this church community.