The season of Lent has arrived. In the christian faith, this is the time of preparation for the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. It is a time of giving up a luxury to feel the sting of sacrifice as a tiny nod to feeling the sacrifice that was made for me. I suck at Lent. I was raised dutch reformed and Lent was not a big deal in this particular church. It was nothing like the way Lent was acknowledged in the Catholic church. We ate meat at every meal. We didn't fast on Ash Wednesday. Business as usual.
Last year I made an attempt at participating in an experiment at doing yoga for 40 days. Epic fail. However, I did discover I'm not a big fan of yoga. I'll do some sun salutations now and then, but every day for 40 days. No way. Uh uh. You may remember I wrote about celebrating Advent this past Christmastime. Another epic fail. Yeah, I didn't even tell you. I just kinda blew it off. Sure, I was psyched about it for about two weeks, but then it fell off the radar. Here we are, it's Lent again. I remember my old friend, Joybird, did a Lenten project she called Late to Lent. She chose to blog her Lenten experience for each day of the season. I was impressed by her work and her diligence to stick to the project. Then I heard of another person who chose to grow her hair for Lent. Seriously? I'm trying to imagine how this helped her relate to the sacrifice of Christ. I guess it takes all kinds to make a world.
My plan for this Lenten season is to spend an hour with God each day of this season. Yeah, I get I'm supposed to be doing this anyway, but I don't. I'm hoping to spend this time with him while walking in his creation and reading his word. I intend to attend church on every Sunday of Lent. Yeah, I get I'm supposed to be doing this anyway, but I don't. I'm going to sit in church and think positive thoughts and, hopefully, start praying for each person I see in the sanctuary. I'm even going to pray for the guy I notice falls asleep EVERY time I see him in church. No judging, just praying. I guess I'm giving up my chilling time on the couch and, most likely, a glass of wine or two. 'Cause that's what I do while chilling on the couch. I consider these luxuries. I think I'm really going to look forward to Easter this year.
So now I've written my intentions on the world wide web. I know some of you readers know where I live. I know some of you have my phone number. Please feel free to hold me accountable. I'm seeking to grow. Who knows, I may even start enjoying church again. Fingers crossed.
I almost forgot. I'm going to restart my gratitudes on my blog posts. Evidently my Gratitude List page had a finite amount of lines and the earlier gratitudes dropped off the page. Stuff happens, but I'm still grateful.
I'm grateful for
1. my savior
2. my faith that Jesus is risen from the dead and will come again to Earth
3. a small group of believers encouraging me every Monday night
4. the word of God, readily available in ANY form of media you can think of
5. my healthy body
6. my clear mind
7. the opportunity to share my faith with anyone reading my words
8. a God of second chances
Last year I made an attempt at participating in an experiment at doing yoga for 40 days. Epic fail. However, I did discover I'm not a big fan of yoga. I'll do some sun salutations now and then, but every day for 40 days. No way. Uh uh. You may remember I wrote about celebrating Advent this past Christmastime. Another epic fail. Yeah, I didn't even tell you. I just kinda blew it off. Sure, I was psyched about it for about two weeks, but then it fell off the radar. Here we are, it's Lent again. I remember my old friend, Joybird, did a Lenten project she called Late to Lent. She chose to blog her Lenten experience for each day of the season. I was impressed by her work and her diligence to stick to the project. Then I heard of another person who chose to grow her hair for Lent. Seriously? I'm trying to imagine how this helped her relate to the sacrifice of Christ. I guess it takes all kinds to make a world.
My plan for this Lenten season is to spend an hour with God each day of this season. Yeah, I get I'm supposed to be doing this anyway, but I don't. I'm hoping to spend this time with him while walking in his creation and reading his word. I intend to attend church on every Sunday of Lent. Yeah, I get I'm supposed to be doing this anyway, but I don't. I'm going to sit in church and think positive thoughts and, hopefully, start praying for each person I see in the sanctuary. I'm even going to pray for the guy I notice falls asleep EVERY time I see him in church. No judging, just praying. I guess I'm giving up my chilling time on the couch and, most likely, a glass of wine or two. 'Cause that's what I do while chilling on the couch. I consider these luxuries. I think I'm really going to look forward to Easter this year.
So now I've written my intentions on the world wide web. I know some of you readers know where I live. I know some of you have my phone number. Please feel free to hold me accountable. I'm seeking to grow. Who knows, I may even start enjoying church again. Fingers crossed.
I almost forgot. I'm going to restart my gratitudes on my blog posts. Evidently my Gratitude List page had a finite amount of lines and the earlier gratitudes dropped off the page. Stuff happens, but I'm still grateful.
I'm grateful for
1. my savior
2. my faith that Jesus is risen from the dead and will come again to Earth
3. a small group of believers encouraging me every Monday night
4. the word of God, readily available in ANY form of media you can think of
5. my healthy body
6. my clear mind
7. the opportunity to share my faith with anyone reading my words
8. a God of second chances
I think you've chosen the best possible thing to do for Lent.
ReplyDeleteI love lists of gratitude! I feel good doing them and also, when I write down things I'm grateful for I see my happiness increasing.
ReplyDeletethank goodness for second chances...terrible i know but it was just last night that i realized today started lent...really need to think on his....best wishes on your time wih god...
ReplyDeleteI am just back from the Ash Wednesday service and have the ashen cross on my forehead. There was talk among everyone about what they are giving up (or taking on) - I just never came up with anything. But I think I'll spend a designated time in prayer every day.
ReplyDeleteHey - if going to that particular church isn't making you happy - try another one. You will still fulfill your Lenten promise to attend church every Sunday during Lent. The church I go to now is of another denomination than the one I started out in. That's almost neither here nor there, but my friends there have become my church family - I can't imagine life without them now.