Here it is the second week of Lent and I sense I’m doing it wrong. The guide I downloaded from Christine Sine’s Godspace blog keeps mentioning joint activities and discussions to do together as a group. I have no group. Admitting to that is hard and saddening.
I am a social person by nature. I enjoy parties, get-togethers, time to gather just to talk. It’s obvious to me that’s the way I was created. It’s disheartening to go this alone here physically. As for the sacrifice part of Lent, I’m fine (I’m still off Twitter and Facebook. Every so often, I miss those voices, but I haven’t given in to rejoin that constant chatter. I wonder how many others are using Lent as a time to block out social media?)
Driving in the car the other day, I mentioned to my husband I’d given up Facebook and Twitter until after Easter Sunday, specifically because of Lent . He was surprised. And I was surprised he was surprised. That’s when I felt the most disconnected; sad it’s just me.
But Lent is not a task to force on someone. In my husband’s defense, I didn’t ask him to participate with me, he being the logical one in my life to form a group, even if it’s just us. My kids are still too young and goofy – emphasis on the goofy – to fully understand what it means to sacrifice, examine, repent and pursue Jesus for 40 days.
My Lent will not be their Lent. I won’t force them to do the group activities, yet I long for the day when we can discuss these things together. (I wish I had thought to find another young family to connect with; maybe we could’ve done the lessons together, made it fun, and enjoyable. An idea for next year perhaps…)
I remember in college attending IVCF, loving small group, getting together to talk and share. Pray for each other. Discuss Scripture. Such good times! When our church was small, before we built the building we use now, we met in each others homes for Bible study Wednesday nights. I remember when our turn came to host, the excitement I felt. Everyone coming our little house for study and coffee! Now Wednesdays are in the building, but honestly I miss going into private homes.
I suspect that’s the setting Mrs. Sine imagined when she wrote of the group activities, like nailing sins to a wooden cross to visualize letting them go forever.
This week’s theme in A Journey into Wholeness is regarding hunger and poverty, but I’m learning something else instead: what my heart craves. A small group of intimate friends who gather in my living room for fellowship, Bible study – and dare I say – laughter? Oh, to have such a wonderful circle of friends!
Other posts on Lent:
Turning down the volume
I heard a rumor Lent starts Wednesday
