Lent

I've been thinking about what to give up this year. I've done some interesting stuff in the past -giving up TV, make-up (quite the sacrifice for me, I'm afraid), etc. I've had a much more difficult time deciding on something this year. And, really, this year's Lent has more to do with adding a practice than taking one away. Let me explain.

Ever since Junior High, my most important spiritual discipline has been writing and journalling. I discover that rehashing my day turns into confession, turns into prayer, turns into "oh, there you are, God! You've been staring me in the face through all of this and I've been bopping along, totally oblivious." But now, as a grad student, writing sometimes feels like a chore. On top of that, with a blog and a lovely host of readers, I often find myself writing with an audience in mind. I'm not doing the soul-searching that I crave. I imagine this is a pretty decent foreshadowing of what pastors experience every week as they approach the text of Scripture. Yes, a bit of personal devotion would be nice but the lure of the crowd is probably more overwhelming than they'd like to admit. I fear this will be the case for me, at any rate. I have recently been rereading Henri Nouwen's book, The Genesee Diary, in which Nouwen writes, "Is there a quiet stream underneath the fluctuating affirmations and rejections of my little world? Is there a still point where my life is anchored and from which I can reach out with hope and courage and confidence?" That still point, for me, comes in writing, in writing for myself and God alone. And this is the discipline I intend to embrace over Lent this year.

Practically, this means:
* I've scoped out the perfect hidey-spot in which to drink coffee and write one evening a week. I've never seen anyone from the seminary there. No one knows me and I can feel free to go off in search of that illusive "still point."
* I will only be checking in on this blog and others once a week (loophole: Lent doesn't count on Sundays and feast days!) I may or may not post. If I do, it will be good. If I don't, just let it go, ok?
* Here are a few links for y'all to try out. If you start to miss me, these ladies will probably do the trick.

I met Betsy last year. She's got a good head on her shoulders and she's funny to boot. I'm especially interested in the blogging she's done about some horrible Focus on the Family articles which, in essence, call singleness a sin!

Lorraine comments here a lot. We may be world's apart as far as vocation and denominational affiliation but I love her writing and she makes me laugh and, before I can help it, I'm thinking about something new and interesting or even something old and mundate from a new and interesting vantage point.

Alright, now I really have to go get me some of those ashes! Have a blessed and reflective Lent, all of you!