In the car the other day, I tried to wrap my head around Lent. I was asking H where it came from and who invented it and if it's in the bible and why it lasts forty days.
And why is it called Lent?
Obviously, Lent is not something I learned about in church.
So it's a bit funny to me that the very first time I have something published in a book real live people can purchase from Amazon and load onto their Kindles for $3.99, it's two essays in a book of meditations. For Lent.
More and more I'm learning, that's the way God operates. So, I'm praying He uses my weakness to show us all just how fantastic He is.
The two essays I wrote for the book are about meekness and mercy - two of the characteristics Jesus talks about in the beatitudes. I talk about H and horses in one of the essays. In the other, I confess about a bitterly cold day in a hospital lobby, where I completely and totally passed up a chance to show mercy, even though it was so obvious I was God's go-to girl for that particular day. Marcus Goodyear, Kelly Sauer, Charity Singleton, Glynn Young, and Sam Van Eman - my friends and colleagues from The High Calling - also have essays in this book. The book is a project sponsored by the church Sam attends, and I am grateful to have been invited to participate.
For those who may be curious, here's how the book is described on Amazon:
In the sixth century, a monk named Benedict devised the “Daily Office” as a way of encouraging the members of his community to focus on God during their regular routine. Since then, many have discovered the value of such ‘interruptions’ for enjoying God’s beautiful, life-giving presence.
This book offers a series of Daily Offices based on the Beatitudes of Jesus, those timeless words that inspire, comfort, and challenge all who hear them. Over the course of eight weeks, the Scripture readings, devotionals, reflective questions, and prayers in Blessed Are You will help readers slow down and draw near to God—so that souls might experience what they most deeply want and need.To purchase the book for Kindle, click here. Or, pre-order a printed copy here. And tell me, where did you learn about Lent?
2 comments:
Oh, Deidra--how I love you. Congrats on the essays!
As to Lent, I grew up Episcopal. It's in the water.
I grew up Catholic, so I've celebrated Lent since forever. When I worked for the Catholic Church for a few years, I learned something fascinating: priests don't really go in for the whole "giving up caffeine for 40 days" thing. They taught me Lent is a time of reflection, a time to make real, lasting changes ~ heart changes:)
Leigh C.
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