Friday Five: Mid-Lent Check-In
The pastor of my grad school parish once gave a fascinating reflection, at about this mid-point in the season, called "How to Survive the Mid-Lent Crisis"! As I recall, his main point was that by halfway through the season we have often found it very challenging to live up to our original plans....But, he suggested--on the analogy of the healing and reframing of our life plans that can happen during a mid-*life* crisis--that that can be even more fruitful.
So here's an invitation to check in on the state of your spirit midway through "this joyful season where we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed" (Roman Missal). Hopefully there's a good deal of grace, and not too much crisis, in your mid-Lenten experience!
1. Did you give up, or take on, anything special for Lent this year?
Practicing (beginner) guitar as a spiritual practice... practicing seemed a joyful and intentional and disciplined opportunity for growth.
2. Have you been able to stay with your original plans, or has life gotten in the way?
No :(. Life, self has stepped in.
3. Has God had any surprising blessings for you during this Lent?
God has been good! She's blessed me with leading a weekly Prayer Service for Healing and Wholeness (which has been such a gift as a participant, too) AND some unexpected sabbath/vacation time with my dear one - 3 days in Santa Fe beginning tomorrow.
4. What is on your inner and/or outer agenda for the remainder of Lent and Holy Week?
To continue intentionally caring for myself through creative, soul-nourishing endeavors (coloring with markers and crayons, spending time with some beautiful and spiritual women, and hopefully practicing that guitar!).
5. Where do you most long to see resurrection, in your life and/or in the world, this Easter?
Great question - but I haven't reached into resurrection, yet for this season. I believe I'm lying fallow for this period, awaiting a sowing in...
Bonus: Share a favorite scripture, prayer, poem, artwork, or musical selection that speaks Lenten spring to your heart. This piece by Jan Richardson (you can see it on her blog, The Painted Prayerbook) has touched me this season.
So here's an invitation to check in on the state of your spirit midway through "this joyful season where we prepare to celebrate the paschal mystery with mind and heart renewed" (Roman Missal). Hopefully there's a good deal of grace, and not too much crisis, in your mid-Lenten experience!
1. Did you give up, or take on, anything special for Lent this year?
Practicing (beginner) guitar as a spiritual practice... practicing seemed a joyful and intentional and disciplined opportunity for growth.
2. Have you been able to stay with your original plans, or has life gotten in the way?
No :(. Life, self has stepped in.
3. Has God had any surprising blessings for you during this Lent?
God has been good! She's blessed me with leading a weekly Prayer Service for Healing and Wholeness (which has been such a gift as a participant, too) AND some unexpected sabbath/vacation time with my dear one - 3 days in Santa Fe beginning tomorrow.
4. What is on your inner and/or outer agenda for the remainder of Lent and Holy Week?
To continue intentionally caring for myself through creative, soul-nourishing endeavors (coloring with markers and crayons, spending time with some beautiful and spiritual women, and hopefully practicing that guitar!).
5. Where do you most long to see resurrection, in your life and/or in the world, this Easter?
Great question - but I haven't reached into resurrection, yet for this season. I believe I'm lying fallow for this period, awaiting a sowing in...
Bonus: Share a favorite scripture, prayer, poem, artwork, or musical selection that speaks Lenten spring to your heart. This piece by Jan Richardson (you can see it on her blog, The Painted Prayerbook) has touched me this season.
2 comments:
Love that art work
So glad to hear about all the Lenten blessings....may the creativity continue to bring joy and renewal.
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