Ash Wednesday & Priorities

Why today?  Why does Ash Wednesday seem like an appropriate day to start a blog?  The United Methodist Church says the following:   "Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection.  In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism.  Today, Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or volunteering and giving of themselves for others."


As a child, I was always fascinated by friends (most of all were Catholic in the small town where I grew up) who "gave something up for Lent."  I truly didn't understand how abstaining from Coke, or chocolate, or a certain TV show could truly make a difference during the Lenten period.  When I reached adulthood, I began to embrace the idea of doing something for Lent, but I wanted it to to have meaning, to matter to my relationship with God, and to be all about Him - not about me and a small sacrifice.  


I truly admire people who can abstain from something (especially food) that they love.  I am quite fond - honestly, too fond - of a variety of foods.  I would feel some sacrifice at giving up any of these foods, but I don't know how doing so would make me feel closer to God.  So, that has never worked for me.  Two years ago, I gave up Facebook during Lent.  I felt some pain from that, but it kept me from sharing with friends and family.  


So, this Lenten season, I'm hoping to approach my preparation for Easter in a different way.  God loves each and every one of us - no matter what.  He meets each and every one of us on our faith journey - no matter where we are.  My Lenten period will be about priorities and looking at myself through God's eyes.  That will be absolutely awesome because God loves me so much more than I love myself.  I will be on the lookout for ways to spend time with God, be a better wife, be a better Mom and take better care of myself.  I will do my best to spend more time and prayer, reflection and devotion.  Mostly, I will listen.  Taking the time I would normally spend doing other stuff (and this would include Facebook!) and truly listen to God. 


This is all about baby steps.  So-called experts vary on their opinions on how long it takes to break a bad habit or form a new one.  Their estimates range from 2 weeks to 66 days (how random is that?)  Forty days of reflection, prayer and looking at myself through God's eyes is an awesome way to start.  A lot of little things can happen in forty days.  


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn9A09G1OGc

From The Message:

Jeremiah 17:7-8:
"But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,
   the woman who sticks with God.
They're like trees replanted in Eden,
   putting down roots near the rivers—
Never a worry through the hottest of summers,
   never dropping a leaf,
Serene and calm through droughts, 

   bearing fresh fruit every season.




Choose Joy!
Melissa