Lent

Having grown up in the churches of Christ, I didn't know anything about Lent. My hometown was dominantly Mormon so I never witnessed the practice of Ash Wednesday.

My first full time job was in a bookstore located in Houston. The store was owned by an Episcopalian woman who was a devout follower of Jesus. She came in to work one Wednesday morning in late February and said that she would be leaving at 10am for church. That was odd to me because she had never left during the work day for church before. Then when she came back, her forehead was dirty. I am so grateful for a store full of customers that kept me from inquiring about the dirty forehead before I saw a calendar and put it all together!

Since that first, almost terrible, blunder with the season of Lent, I have become fascinated by the traditions of Lent.

This year, I really wrestled with what to give up for Lent. As I wondered and Ash Wednesday was upon me, an article from Ruth Haley Barton's Transforming Center arrived. Here is a short excerpt from the article:

Unfortunately, the practice of entering into the Lenten season has often been reduced to the question: "What are you giving up for Lent?" This is a fine question, but it can only take us so far. The real question of the Lenten season is: How will I find ways to return to God with all my heart? This begs an even deeper question: Where in my life have I gotten away from God and what are the disciplines that will enable me to find my way back?

That is the real question that had plagued my heart. While it would be better for my weight if I gave up chocolate and better for my work if I gave up Facebook, what would call me more fully to God? That is the question that I am still pondering and invite you to ask as well.

Where in your life have you gotten away from God and what disciplines will enable you to find your way back?

That will take at least until Easter morning to answer completely.