Lovin' Lent

…return to me with all your heart…Joel 2:12

I’m gonna start todays post with a couple words you don’t often hear together in a sentence…happy Lent!  We tend to look at Lent through the lens of deprivation, restriction and sacrifice but I’m going to suggest today we flip that right over and take a new look.  The middle lovelies and I were watching a little YouTube clip about Lent and a couple things reached out and grabbed us; I’d like to share those things as well as a few other little tidbits that just might help make your Lent a happy one!
 
*Deacon Ralph Poyo came to Westphalia for a visit last month and he said Lent is completely about Jesus and drawing close to him so if you want to “give something up” then make it something you don’t want to “pick back up” when Lent is over.  We need to give up those things that take our focus off Him so if they are coming between us now, they will probably come between us later so why not ditch ‘em!

*Lent should always include more still quiet prayer but to that add some extended learning and share the good news of Jesus with three people a week in some way.  It could be an act of service, a positive message or a simple; I prayed for you today.  Don’t keep Jesus to yourself…share him. 

*If you want to re-focus on Jesus, walk around for a day (or an hour) with a popcorn kernel in your shoe.  Every time it pokes your foot say “Thank you Jesus for making me think of you; please bless_________.”

*Don’t complain, argue or whine for a week (or a day) (or an hour) pick the one that fits.  Those three behaviors are the greatest form of selfishness.  Give up having your own way, the last word and the attention.

*It’s more about giving up sin and temptations that lead us to sin than giving up chocolate!

*Think of Lent as the buildup…the anticipation…the warm-up for the greatest crescendo of our faith…The Resurrection.  The more we prepare, practice and ready ourselves for the amazing event, the more exciting, rewarding and awesome Easter will be.

*How much time do you spend preparing for Christmas or a wedding or a graduation?  There is planning, organizing, shopping, decorating and new stuff involved.  Now…how do we prepare for Easter?  It’s the holiest day of the year and sometimes all we do is buy plastic grass and dye eggs.  Using Lent as a preparation time is more powerful if we give some serious thought to what we’re preparing for…celebrate it like it’s a big deal…because it is!!!

We can’t waste Lent…not one day of it.  Everything you do should be for one purpose…to draw you closer to Jesus.  He wants us to return to him with our whole heart so do everything this Lent out of love for the one who loves you more than you can imagine.

A Seed To Plant: Whatever you’re planning to do during this Lenten season, pick one new thing that has never been a part of your Lenten observances before.  Check out some online resources; there are hundreds of ideas out there to help make your Lent wonderful.

Blessings on your day…and Happy Lent!