Lenten Accountability

As we've begun our third week of Lent, about a third of the way through this season. I thought this might be a good time to check in and see how our Lenten journey has been progressing. Oftentimes, we start Lent with good intentions a list of things we are going to do better, similar to New Year's Resolutions. But as the days where on, we realize that giving up red meat or Netflix or going to happy hours was harder than we had originally planned, and we're slipping.

But that means we're doing something right! Fasting is not supposed to be easy. It is not supposed to be something we casually do throughout these weeks, but something that we strive to do, something that we focus on, and truly bring God closer to us as we try to give up these things that build a wall between God and God's Love. So check yourself:

• Are you making excuses to consciously break your fast? Such as, it's her birthday or but Fuller House was just released!
• Are you breaking your fast without realizing it? Reaching for the ice cream or starting a gossipy conversation
• Are you "cashing in" your Sundays early? 
• Are you promising yourself, you'll do better tomorrow, only to not?

Lent is not intended to be easy, but it does not have to this big, grand gesture. God does not always work in the thunder and the lightening, oftentimes, God is the whispering wind. Just like when God tried to help Naaman, there was no big song or dance to it, Naaman was just told to go wash seven times in the Jordan. God was not asking for Naaman to do a lot, just to trust that God would help him (2 KGS 5:1-15). 

If you're taking onto too much, let a bit go, and keep some of the smaller pieces. Each little bit can help bring you and God closer together in time for the Easter to season to begin. All God wants is to become closer with you, and all you need to do this is to trust and allow God to guide you. So continue your fasting, you praying, and your alms-giving, but remember that God isn't looking for the grand gesture, God's looking for an act of trust. 

Tota tua, 

LeAnn 

Just Listen

When things get crazy, when the hum and buzz of the all day, stressful usual becomes overwhelming, the first thing to go seems to be the quiet.

We get so worked up about what's coming next, the music we want to listen to or the YouTube video we want to share p, that we don't realize how much is going around us. We also forget to take the time to just breath, and just listen. 

I've mentioned before that one of my favorite author is Sarah Dessen; she's just one of a kind, writing coming-of-age stories that make the reader stop and think about how they would handle the situations thrown upon her characters, or if they have ever been one of her characters. 

One her novels focuses upon the concept of music, and how different people hear different things.  Her protagonists, Anabelle and Owen constantly fight about the different kinds of music they listen to.
Owen, opened minded, constantly looking for a musical enlightenment, and Anabelle is just trying to stay afloat, and not say what's below the surface. 

To make a long story short, and just ruin the entire story for you, Anabelle finally reaches the point where she can talk about what has happened after she listens to Owen's last CD. The CD is blank, which she believed to be the entire point, and even though it wasn't Owen's, it was the author's. 

The point is, sometimes we need the silence.  There is times where we need to be alone with our thoughts and feelings, and listen to what they are telling us. That's how we stay healthy as human, and sane as a Christian.

Remember the story of Elijah, how the wind blew and mountains shook, but God was not in the storm, nor in the earthquake.  Instead, God was in the most gentle and quiet of breezes, whispering in the prophet's ear, and caressing his face.

How can you possibly hear the breeze if your ears are covered with headphones, and your face is hidden behind your laptop?

Stop, and just listen. Enjoy the quiet, even if it's just your six minute drive to school in the morning. Say hi, say I love you, tell God thank you, and also listen.

Totus tuus,

LeAnn