I’ve unintentionally but gladly kept our Lenten observance very simple this year. When it began I entered my 31st week of pregnancy and really started to feel that. My energy, focus and let’s just call it, devotion was around zero and has not improved as I’m nearing week 34.
We stayed home from church on Ash Wednesday but I did burn last year’s palms and smear the babies with some ashes. We read some books about Lent, buried our Alleluia banner, colored and ate some prayer pretzels.
We have kept our evening family devotions going most nights. I’m using a combination of our Jesus Tree readings with ornaments and the Concordia Catechetical Academy’s schedule of hymns and catechesis. Beyond that we’re just not doing much.
It seems Lent is a good time to be nearing the end of this pregnancy, enduring all the weariness, aches and pains that come with the final weeks. If I can stop complaining for a minute I’m reminded of the aches and pains Christ bore in love for my sake and look to Him for the endurance I need for the last stretch. The somber and painfully slow weeks of Lent are comforting right now in a way. If only these quiet weeks didn’t mean busier days for Phil. But for a pastor there is much more to do during this season. For me this will require more too. But also more opportunity for God to grant His great grace and strength right?
Blessed Lent to you all!
Two Sundays ago, John’s supervising pastor tied together the Noah story and the Jesus in the wilderness story through the 40 days in each and said that sometimes Lent is more like Noah in the ark – being swept along in the torrent – rather than the 40 days in the desert. The reminder was that God was the one that shut the ark and kept everyone safe and cared for during those 40 days. Praying that God keeps you and yours safe and cared for during these 40 days.
Lea
That’s a wonderful message, thank you so much Lea!