Lenten Joy

In the pocket of my jacket, the one I wear for walking around our neighborhood, the Beaumont & Cardinal Valley Trails, shopping at Kroger, running errands in cooler weather, I’m in the habit of carrying and holding something. This year, I have a tiny wooden heart with the word ‘amazing’ on one side and ‘joy’ on the other. In the other pocket is usually my phone. In all the hassles of 24 hour news & views, divisive language, challenges to peace, my tiny wooden heart is simply a prompt, a reminder, to be grounded in the amazing and the joyful. I think those two words are connected.

So that’s why I started wondering what amazing joy we might find in the upcoming season of Lent. Can Lent be an opportunity for amazement and joyfulness?

Perhaps, in this time that offers reflection, turning and spiritual growth as we face hard questions of faith, Lent can offer opportunities for joy. Lent has mostly been associated with giving up certain habits, giving up sugar/chocolate, or giving up meat for fish and veggies. How about we look at doing something more profound with Lent this year – Ash Wednesday of February 18 through to Easter Sunday on April 5 – something that would look towards wholeness, peace, renewal; something for others; something for God. How about learning from one of the lesser-known saints, or focusing on understanding another country’s historic and present challenges, or picking up the Bible study we have at church for this season by either ‘Forward Movement’ or ‘Living Well’? How about using a concordance and studying the Biblical understanding of ‘joy’ (or any other word or name)? How about a retreat-like approach to Lent and Holy Week? How about committing to visiting a ‘shut-in’ member of your family or our church? How about getting outside as the weather warms – gardening, walking, even just sitting outside (Tobit’s trace is a great location for that!). Let me know if you’d like any other ideas!

There’s a joy that is found in self-reflection, service, gaining insight and understanding, and the new wisdom. Somehow there is also balance found in a consciously balanced and purposefully focused deeper connection to God and one another.

Have an amazing, joy-filled Lent!
With my love and prayers,
Rev Helen