“In many cultures there is an ancient custom of giving a tenth of each year’s income to some holy use. For Christians, to observe the forty days of Lent is to do the same thing with roughly a tenth of each year’s days. After being baptized by John in the river Jordan, Jesus went off alone into the wilderness where he spent forty days asking himself the question what it meant to be Jesus. During Lent, Christians are supposed to ask one way or another what it means to be themselves.” -Buechner
So, this begs the question for me...
...what does it mean to “be myself”??? What are the questions I’m supposed to be asking??? Because it seems to me that I can’t fully know God until I know myself. And, I do, deeply desire to know God. More. Here’s what I think it means, for me, anyway.
...to be honest about my heart and feelings...
...to stay engaged in the process with myself and others...
...that self-awareness ultimately, leads me to greater understanding, love, need, desire, and dependence for God.
This year (with a dear friend’s prompting), I have decided to “give up and take on” some thing(s) that would lead me into my own “wilderness”...
I’ve decided this year to create some margin in my life. We are turning off the tube (and facebook) for 40 days. (That in itself is a minor miracle). My desire is to create some silence everyday, so that I can listen to myself and my God.
Oh, and... I’m going to try and blog a picture every day for 40 days. Here’s a snapshot from my Ash Wednesday...
I LOVE this kid! We had such a fun day together. I LOVE his intensity for life... you can see it on his face as he works this puzzle.
It’s amazing what no tv and no computer will do for a relationship. :-)
What will you be “giving up or taking on” for Lent this year?
Love,
K
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