A different kind of Lent
I need a different kind of Lent this year.
You too?
I need lament - and laughter.
I need fasting - and feasting.
I need Jesus.
After the past 2 years and in our current situation, don’t we all need a different kind of Lent, a Lent that is kind to others.
A kind of Lent to transform us kindly.
A Lent that leads to and opens us to Resurrection joy.
It’s easy to forgive - out loud. For the moment when I (probably) mean it.
It’s far harder to go on with the mind and attitude of forgiving.
Not remembering, not casting nasturtiums (as my young son once said meaning aspersions) not dragging up the past, not going over and over it in my mind.
Not being hurt by it anymore. Even though I am. Choosing to turn and think of something lovely instead of thinking of my hurt.
I make coffee. I breathe in the aroma, enjoy the ritual of the making, use my favourite mug, think only of the joy of creating my go-to victual. Take my mind off the wounding, fill it with good things. A little coffee and a lot of Jesus.
Choosing to forgive. Choosing to stop myself remembering I was hurt.
Looking for the good in the other person. Remembering they too carry burdens I know nothing about.
Having the same attitude of Christ. Who even in agony, cried out, Father forgive them! They know not what they do!
Choosing, each day of Lent, to fast from recriminations and to feast on forgiveness.
(Read the first chapter of Walking Back To Happiness to find out what this meant for me a few Lents ago)
In his book, The Deeply Formed Life, Rich Villodas, the Brooklyn-born pastor of a church in Queens NY, talks about how he deliberately set about changing that little narrative that determines our actions, and in particular determines our reactions to people who hurt us, criticise us, cause us to be harsh and bitter in return.
There are 5 simple questions.
They could be life changing if we use them.
Because you can’t sparkle and flourish when you carry resentment, recriminations, re-actions and un-forgiveness.
Fast from recriminations.
Feast on forgiveness.
Many people are struggling right now - with anxiety, stress, worry, fear.
You too?
A little encouragement goes a long way. And in reaching out to others and encouraging them, our own heart is encouraged too. A double gift!
How can you encourage someone today?
A phone call, an email, a real card in the real mail; a little bunch of daffodils; a freshly made cake; a trip to the coffee shop ….
40 random acts of kindness for Lent.
Who will you encourage today and how will you help them to flourish and sparkle?
A different kind of Lent.
A kind of Lent to transform us kindly.
A student verbally attacked Dallas Willard towards the end of a lecture. Dallas simply replied to say that was a good place to end.
In an interview, John Ortburg asked Dallas why he'd done that and not countered the arguments.
Dallas replied that he was practising the discipline of not always having to have the last word.
Does having to have the last word spring from a desire to be right, to be seen as superior, as wanting to be in control and to control others?
I LIKE having the last word. I am OFTEN right. You too?
Dallas talked about the need for our hearts to be transformed. Not that we change our principles, but that we change our attitudes. We learn to listen with compassion and empathy; we yearn for the fruits of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentlenss, SELF CONTROL. (Gal 5).
Change my heart, O God.
Lord, change me.
Help me to let go of always having to have the last word.
Give me your heart of compassion and empathy, the skill of listening, and the discernment to know when to speak and when to be silent.
