Lent is one of those interesting times in the life of the church. You have people from all ends of the religious spectrum-Catholic, conservative, to contemporary-who celebrate the season in a myriad of ways. Some people deny themselves something, some take the time to reflect, and there is a growing trend of participating in acts of kindness or justice.
Personally, I tend to vary in my approach to lent. In past years, I have sacrificed something, participated in acts of justice studies, and done nothing. As I head into this Lenten season, my heart and mind are struggling in the world of balancing life, preparing to enter parenthood, work, and a quickly growing ministry. I have a pile of books about 9 high beside my bed waiting to be read, my inbox is bombarded daily with baby e-mails, advertisements, and well-meaning e-mails from individuals wanting to get involved or needed me to do something.
As hard as I have been working to clear my schedule and focus on simply being, each week seems to come and go in a blur. Perhaps this is because I have been working hard. Somewhere in all of it, I forgot I am not in this alone. I am more aware than ever of my feelings of unworthiness and fears over the future. Something about all of a sudden being responsible for the well-being of a tiny person does that to you! So oh what a glorious reminder it was this morning as Lent begins, I am not in this alone. My imperfections, sin, and inability to manage everything are nailed to the cross. My fears and feelings of unworthiness are no longer mine to bear.
All of this caused me to pause, step back, and focus on something a little different for this season of Lent. I am committing to carving out a portion of each day to pause, breathe, and spend time giving everything over to the One who does hold it all and who can do it all. He is the hope, the encouragement, and the answer to my imperfections and fears. And while there are many tools out there to help, the one I settled on for this season is by She Reads Truth. Rather than giving up, I am giving in to the One who gave it all. Join me in a journey to focus on Jesus and our inability to do anything without His guidance.
