Lent

Through my childhood and most of my adult life, I didn’t attend a church that observed the church year.  My knowledge of Lent consisted of fish on Friday and giving up chocolate until you could eat the whole bunny on Easter. There was no desire to know more.

Then I began attending a church that observed the events on the church calendar, and I saw Lent in a new, deeper way.  It has become one of my favorite seasons of the year. It is a time of prayer, fasting, and alms giving. It’s being intentional about focusing more of your day on seeking and drawing closer to God.

My work these days in caring for 16 month old twin grandbabies and the goats on our farm shows me daily things I want to remove from my life like selfishness, greed, and a me-first and only mentality.  But then in the next moment there is love, joy, and peace.

So during this time, concentrating on putting off the selfishness and putting on selflessness, joy and peace draw me closer to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It’s a struggle to make time and re-channel my thoughts, but is so worth it.  I’m blessed in observing this season of the year. It makes me wonder why I don’t do this all year?

Charlene Sears
Former Consultant for Sparrow Solutions Group