Lent

I'm a bit startled that we've already entered the Lenten season.  I feel like Christmas was just a few days ago and we've barely begun the new year.  But that's not really the case, is it??


Yesterday as I was walking the streets of DC, I was struck by the communion I felt with perfect strangers.  People walked around all day in suits, or running gear bearing the mark of the cross on their foreheads.  These people are Christians, just as I am.  I have to admit that I felt guilty more than once that I didn't make it to an Ash Wednesday church service.  I could say it was because I was too busy or had other things, but I simply didn't.  Even still, I was reminded over and over of the power of faith.  This faith that I carry and share with others.  It is an amazing thing.


In the past, I've "given up" things for Lent.  Soda and chocolate and I'm sure other things (a few that I remember but care not to explain to the world).  I've also gained things for Lent, like "adding" a daily devotional time in the mornings or evenings.  I feel like "adding" or "giving up" things doesn't necessarily encourage me to follow through and really reflect on how these changes can give God room to grow me.  So, I like to make commitments.

This year, I'm making two.

I am committing to stop using Facebook.  And People.com.  And all of the other websites where I find myself both wasting time and focusing on unimportant things.  Don't get me wrong, FB can be a great way to reconnect and build relationships with people.  But it can also draw out feelings of jealousy and frustration and greed and about a billion other things, at least it has been known to in my life.  I am choosing to focus on building relationships with people in a different way over these next few weeks.

I am also committing to reading my Bible every morning and attending a ladies fellowship every other Thursday with some wonderful women from school.  I've been much better these last few months about setting aside time for my relationship with God, but it's certainly not what I know it can be.  I've got a lot of growing and learning to do.

SO!  I'm really looking forward to this season and I hope you are too!  Are you making any commitments for Lent?  I'd love to hear about them and encourage you.


And, I can't leave without sharing this song that Cassidy recently reintroduced me to: