Lenten Observance

 

4/6/2025

1 Peter 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

There have been many years when I have tried to observe the Lenten season. The part of the Christian calendar that begins Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. Traditionally, the focus is on prayer, fasting, and giving alms. The past several years I have also read that some people have incorporated acts of kindness and generosity into their observation as well. 

Lent was very much a part of my youth as I was brought up Roman Catholic. In my family, we gave up something for Lent and didn't eat meat of Fridays. We would also attend a mass of the Stations of the Cross. Even as a child, this moved me in a profound way. In my adulthood, I have attended mostly evangelical or Baptist churches. Most of these protestant churches do not observe Lent to any degree. 

These 40 days (actually 46 not counting Sundays) of preparation for the celebration of Easter are supposed to be a deeply sacred time when we are to draw closer to Jesus and focus more on Him than worldly things or desires. This year, I decided to try observing Lent once again, albeit with a very different and more prayerful attitude and spirit. My husband and my son both joined me in this observation, although we are all doing that in different way. I do not need to go into the things I have committed to, but I can share that it has been transformative for me.  I will not say this time has been easy, but it is designed not to be. I am having to abstain from certain pleasures of life while those around me partake. This I am trying to do with grace and humility. Time spent meditating on the immense sacrifice Jesus made for me makes any small sacrifice I have made during this time totally and utterly insignificant. Jesus gave himself unto death for the forgiveness of sins and to save souls. He did this for me and all of us. His sacrifice is unmatched in all of history and time. He alone is our Rescuer, Redeemer, and Savior.  

During this time of Lent, I find I am more grateful and joyful, not letting the small things of life weigh me down like before. I am spending more time in my Bible and in prayer. I am using my time in much more purposeful ways. This I must say is the biggest change for me. I am feeling more at peace than I have felt in a very long time. 

I am so blessed that God called me into Lent this year. I pray the work he has started in me will continue. He knows I am a work in progress, and I am eternally thankful for his grace and mercy.