Smellin' the Roses

Well, we have just completed our Faith in Action Campaign, which was preceded by Advent and Christmas, which was preceded by our Stewardship Drive, which was preceded by our “Forty Days of Purpose Spiritual Enrichment Program” which was preceded by … oh it is too much.  I need a break and I’ll bet you do too.  And that’s where Lent comes in. Lent calls us to slow down, to reflect and maybe even meditate on where we are in life and what we need to do to be where we want to be. Ah… just what the doctor ordered.

Lent is the season where there is a renewed emphasis on prayer, meditation, fasting, and acts of compassion and service.  It is a time to stop, take a deep breath, and appreciate all that God has done for us. 

Part of that means taking time to do things just a bit differently.  Maybe it is in making more time for prayer in our lives.  Maybe it is allowing silence to be an active part of our spiritual discipline (something I always need to remind myself to do).  Maybe it is in beginning a spiritual discipline like prayer or meditation or regular church attendance. Or maybe it is just sitting quietly with ourselves and with God in a comfortable space, unencumbered by outside distractions for a few minutes at the start or close of each day.  

Maybe it is starting a “Blessings” journal where you take the time each and every day to write down something that was a blessing to you that day. When I have done that I am amazed as I look back and realize just how blessed I really am.  Maybe it is in learning to fast (not merely as a diet aid) one meal a week and then use that time you would of spent eating to reflect on who God is calling you to be and what God has in store for you and then (and this is an important part of the fasting discipline) donating the money you saved from not eating to the Deacons Food Pantry or some other such fund.  

Maybe it is giving up something - we do that for Lent, you know.  But when you do, I encourage you to try and add a spiritual dimension to it.  So, if you’ve given up chocolate (I admire those who can!), then every time you think about having that piece chocolate candy which you know you now can not have, think of how God can strengthen you …or … use that longing to get closer to God.  If you are giving up making critical comments, then think about how you can also turn that around and figure out what God would have you say that’s positive instead. 

If nothing else, just slow down and smell the roses.  And then remember it is God who created roses and the sense of smell.  We are truly blessed.

My hope for each of us this Lenten season is that as we practice new Lenten disciplines we may discover anew God knocking at hearts in ways we never expected.  Be blessed, my friends.  And, as always, I’ll see you on Sunday!

Pastor Tom