My thoughts on Lent this year

What is Lent?

I used to think it is only what the Catholics do.  It's not something I grew up learning about.  But a few years ago I realized that many Christians are observing it as well.  It is certainly noble!  Lent is a time of soul-searching and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection on Good Friday and Easter. (I read that in a devotional and thought that pretty much sums it up.) During this time many people go into a fasting period and give up something.  For some it may be food and for others it may be a time to give up a bad habit.  A few years ago I gave up playing games on Webkinz.  I was so addicted and it was quite hard for me to do.  Last year I don't believe I did anything.  But this year instead of giving up something I just decided to get more in tune with God.

What does that mean exactly?  Well for me it means getting back on track with my Bible reading.  I'm reading the daily Lenten reflections that are emailed out by my church. You can read them online here as well. And I decided to go to church tonight.  I stopped going to Wednesday night church when my kids were babies.  It was right at the time they needed to go to bed. One crabby baby is bad enough but when you have three it gets a little crazy.  And it was hard for me to get them ready and get there by myself.  So during this Lenten season, I think I'm going to try and go every Wednesday night.  I'm not going to hold myself to it, but I certainly will make an effort.

Now, I said I wasn't giving up anything, but yesterday God talked to me.  I know many in my faith find it strange that I can hear God.  It seems Pentecostal or something.  But I do.  I hear him.  It's a voice inside my head that I know in my heart is from God.  I've also had experiences where God took over what I was saying.  The words that came out of my mouth I would have never thought of on my own.  Anyway, on to yesterday. I've become quite addicted to the game Angry Birds.  I've downloaded and won Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons and Angry Birds Rio. Now I'm going back and trying to find all the hidden eggs and get 3 stars on every level before advancing to the next level.  Well I've gotten stuck on one level.  For the life of me I can't get 3 stars on it.  I found myself praying that I win this level and getting frustrated that I wasn't.  Well yesterday, I picked up my phone to play the game and I heard God say... I want your attention.  I must have hesitated or thought I'd just play a little, because I heard it again.  I want your attention!  OK God I heard you. I put it down and didn't play.  It's one thing to hear God, it's another to obey Him.  I still think it may have been a one day thing, but I didn't play it today either.

This is something I read in one of the daily Lenten reflections that I would like to ask you to join me in doing. Spend some time in prayer asking God for strength to reveal what needs to be revealed, and courage to remove what needs to be removed during this Lenten season. Next ask God to fill the void that will be left, and thank him for what you are becoming.  Brilliant!  I've thought to ask him to reveal what needs to be changed, but I never thought to ask him for courage to actually do it or to fill the void!

Are you observing Lent?  What are you doing during this time?