The Longish Lenten Journey
The Soul Set Free
We are coming to the close of the season of Lent. Soon it will be added to a spiralling series of Lenten seasons that we have traversed (together or alone). Challenging treks because it is hard to let go of old patterns and ways. Established habits of the heart are comforting like old clothes, so we are slow to take them off and throw them “down the chute,” as my mother used to say.
The quandary we face is that part of us wants the freedom of Lent to open our hearts and minds wide and live expansively with grace and mercy shown to all. But another part is fearful which keeps us locked in judgment and we withhold the love for others that Lent demands of us. We close up our hearts even while we desire to embrace all in tender mercy.
A Lenten Prayer:
“Do not give up sweet soul. Your softness is still apparent to the One who sees all. Who yearns for you and never forgets you. Even while you bemoan your Lenten sojourn not knowing if you have made headway or fallen behind. But your Loverly One knows your secret sighs and remains faithful even when you are faithless. Do not give up sweet soul. There is One who holds you tight and will never. . .ever. . . let you go.”
A Lenten Aspiration:
“Freedom of the soul set free” remains our heartening air wafting over the hills, valleys, and waters of our Lenten journeys past, present, and yet to come (Galatians 5:1).
As a child, the days leading up to Easter Sunday was filled with many plans, the sense that something big was on the horizon and we need to prep. All our neighbours too were having similar experiences-I can still sense it! I loved the buzz in the air: Cakes, special bun and cheese, yummy fried fish and bammy, even the house went on this journey: polishing of silverware, drapes, special spreads for the beds, glistening whitewashed stones surround the flower bed and so much more…it was exciting! All of this and then came the day—Easter Sunday. The fasting, the good deeds and so much preparation—the Lenten journey was worth it all (in the eyes of a little girl).