Why hello! It's been a little while... The working world gets in the way sometimes ;) Things are going well with my job. I was given the opportunity to go on an installation in Nebraska last week- it was great to see a project come to life! :)
I've been feeling called to write about my Lenten journey for this year which will require me to be pretty open and honest... but hey, we're all wounded, right!? This year, I felt convicted when someone asked how our Lenten sacrifices or "fasts" will bring us closer to God. So many people, especially us ladies, give up chocolate or cookies in hopes of losing weight. While I don't judge anyone who is doing this and can totally relate to this desire because I've been guilty of it in the past, my perspective changed this year. I was thinking about the idea of "losing weight". I really feel that Lent is not about losing weight in the physical sense, but rather losing the weight of a cross we bear by drawing close to God. For me, my fast relates to food but let me explain... Here's where I get honest- before Lent started, I snacked a lottt when I got home from work. I didn't really even think about it sometimes. So, I decided to give up snacking and try to better plan my meals for weeknights, remembering that it's more about being healthy and taking care of my body than controlling the food I eat. Let me also say that I've already failed a couple times since lent has begun. I'm human and I'm far from perfect. But I'm still trying. And praying. A lot. And that's where I try to focus on being happy and healthy in my relationship with God... not losing weight physically, but rather spiritually. Last time I checked, Christ endured the biggest cross of all- so what makes us think He can't help us with our crosses? In being obedient to God through a "fast" during Lent, we can only grow stronger in our faith, so long as our focus and fasts are purposeful. If Jesus fasted for 40 days, so can we... and we don't have to do it alone! I am so grateful for my family and friends who are willing to meet me where I'm at and love me through my "human-ness"... I've been very blessed by so many peoples' insights, perspectives, and experiences. Chances are, you who are reading this, are one of those people. And chances are, the cross you bear has been endured by another person you know, and that someone is willing to walk with you as a "Simon" figure, lifting a little bit of the weight. My hope is that everyone would know how much they are loved and come to a greater understanding of their worth in Christ, sharing the crosses we bear during this Lenten season.
As a final note, I want to mention that so often we feel "controlled" by things like religion or traditions in the church... or like it's "weird" to be so devout, or that those who don't have the "right" focus for Lent are doing it "wrong". I put quotes around "right" and "wrong" because I don't have the answers to everything. I may think I know in my heart what is "right" but that doesn't mean that someone else's way/opinion that is different than mine is "wrong"... Again it comes back to trust in the Lord, asking HIM for the answers to what you should be doing as an individual for Lent, and making your time purposeful for your life and relationship with God. God loves each of us and wants to make the most of our life. The way we respond can either make the weight of our cross heavier or lighter... the choice is up to us.
"The God of angel armies is always by my side" - Chris Tomlin
