Lent

Lent …the 40 day period leading up to Easter. It’s one of the most important times of the year for me, beginning on Ash Wednesday, and continuing through Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday… until Easter morning, when we exclaim, “He Is Risen!”

For me…Lent is a time to renewal. A time of reflection. A time for me to be still, and reflect on His Holy Spirit within my life!

It’s a time to renew our commitment that we may have fallen away from in this busyness of life…to sacrifice, to fast, to pray, to think, to reflect as we prepare our hearts for the celebration of our risen Lord. If you haven’t read The Three Women of Easter, by Liz Curtis Higgs, I strongly recommend it. So dynamic that it served to prepare my heart…Mary of Bethany, Mary of Nazareth, and Mary Magdalene…three women who all walked the journey with Jesus… a read that had devout impact on me during this Season of Grace, making my faith in God come so alive.

As we recount the story of Him loving us so much that he gave us His Son…

We love…

Because He first loved us.

We live…

Because He died and rose, for our life of the sweetest trust!

During Lent, I pray each day that my prayer life will become more vibrant and strong. (If you haven’t read, Draw the Circle by Mark Batterson, please do! It can easily change your prayer life!) I pray that His Voice, will always be so readily recognized in the quietness of my soul; I pray that my repentance will be utmost and any hardness in my heart will be removed; and I pray for courage and boldness to follow wherever He leads, as I love and serve others.

I know that focusing on our mind and spirit, is such an extremely personal thing for each of us. This past year was such a different one for us all. For me, another health scare; a time of learning at virtual school with my granddaughter, taxing every ounce of my very being, and yet, becoming such a special time; the birth of our third granddaughter, miles away, and unable with the COVID threat to hold her in my arms; days of uncertainty for sure… A period of new experiences, and yet one for me to pause and reflect, no matter what my circumstances, in thankfulness for the blessings in my life. Forgetting the busyness of agendas, and focusing only on Him, my Savior. Yes, friends, that’s what this spiritual journey and the days leading up to Easter are all about!

What a precious time to quietly reflect on the Lord’s resurrection… one of the most glorious, victorious moments in history. This time of quietness that fills my soul with such love that as I pray the Lord’s prayer, “Our Father who art in heaven,” my overflowing heart strongly resonates with reflection on the magnitude of the season, and my love overflows as I tearfully, instead, personally pray “My Father who art in heaven”…and from whom all blessings flow.

May you see the Holy Season of Lent as a time of spiritual renewal for you as well, cleansing your heart for an even stronger and more vibrant life with Him… loving and serving others every day for His presence to be made known!

He is Risen! Let us go forth with renewed hearts of love!!

May the God of all Hope,

Fill you with joy & peace as you trust in Him.

Romans 15:13

May your path

Be sweet & loving

As you live a life of abundance

Kneeling at His feet.

May you know my Savior

 as our hearts connect in love

Pursuing, seeking, loving

Our Heavenly Father above!