Comments on: Lent: Week Two

By: Marianne

Marianne — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 18:41:56 +0000

Monica, I don’t think there’s a *wront* way to experience Lent; it’s a different journey every year because life has worked changes on us.

I do understand what you mean about the small group – even one or two – of friends who you can really talk to about your faith/spirituality/questions/doubts. It matters and I’m sad that it’s not there for you right now when you could use it.

As for kids and Lent, my oldest (2nd grade) is really working through her first Lent and trying to give up candy. I say trying because she’s forgotten a couple of times…then realizes it halfway through eating whatever treat she happened across.

Now, she is in Catholic school so not only does she get a great deal of talk about the “why” of Lent at home, she also get’s to talk about it in class with her teacher and friends. That definitely makes a difference.

My point is that your kids might be open to traveling some sort of Lenten journey – again, it’s not a pass/fail proposition (as I told my girl when she felt terrible about eating a gummy worm). It’s a chance to grow.

I’ll be your group!

Take care, friend.

Mariannes last blog post..Speechless

By: Melissa Multitasking Mama

Melissa Multitasking Mama — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:58:05 +0000

I have a group of women like that in my life and it is a truly amazing bond that God uses often to nurture all of us and hold us accountable. I will b praying that you find that as well! Melissa Multitasking Mamas last blog post..My Journey with MS

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:07:29 +0000

thanks, Heather, I always appreciate your input. (I believe you’re on to something with that external processor label.)

I think I finally understand the true meaning of Lent. And this is only week 2, just think of all the wisdom I’ll have by Day 40.

By: Heather

Heather — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:42:43 +0000

Preface: I believe the American church over-emphasizes individual piety and “quiet time.” I also believe that those who are social and external processors should embrace their personalities and seek to grow in them (i.e. via the community).
Thoughts: Lent is a season of stripping and fasting. The liturgical calendar invites us to enter into Christ’s story (and the story of the Church, his body). During Lent, we join Christ’s withdrawal and fasting in the wilderness for forty days in preparation for his earthly ministry. It strikes me that perhaps this year, this is how God wants you to experience Lent. This is not to say this is how you have to experience it every year, but perhaps this season, God wants to teach you something specific.
It’s hard not feeling like you belong to a certain community that’s going through the same thing you are–I know this feeling intimately. And I’m not saying this is a “just you and God” thing. I’m saying that as you crave this fellowship, Bible study, and laughter, use that to enter into God’s desires and suffering.
Sorry. I didn’t mean to get preachy. Those were the thoughts going through my head as I read your post.

Heathers last blog post..Movies and Writing: Rachel Getting Married