INTO THE DEEP OF LENT

There are many kinds of swimmers.

There are the plungers, who run full steam toward the body of water and just fling themselves in, knowing there may be an initial shock, brain freeze, or temporary paralysis – but trusting that once the shock has subsided, they will already be in the water and can adjust accordingly.

There are the bouncers, who pogo their way in, forcing the body to accept the temperature of the water a little at a time, while bouncing toward the deep end, eventually succumbing to the full body dunk when they can no longer bounce their head above water.

There are the waders who slowly wander their way in, gracefully, taking their time to adjust as they go until they are eventually swimming laps around the pool comfortably.

I have learned over the years that when it comes to Lent, no matter the temperament or personality of the person – everyone seems to think they need to be the plunger. Ready to start every program, follow every protocol,

make every change, offer up every temptation, attend every mission headfirst on Ash Wednesday. As if it were the edge of a pool, and it’s all or nothing from that moment on for 40 straight days.

I would like to offer a better way to get there. Just like we can ease our way into the pool, which, by the way, is my preferred method, we can ease into the deep of Lent. God gives us 40 days for a reason. So, we can deliberately reach the goal of total submersion on our own time and in our own way. Jesus had 33 years to prepare himself for His Passion. We can at least give ourselves 33 whole days to prepare ourselves. The goal as I see it is to get “there” by Holy Week. This can be accomplished a little at a time.

We must free ourselves from our scattered lifestyles and find some peace. Lent is a great time to accomplish so much more important work inwardly by doing less frivolous or unimportant work outwardly. Dial it all back a bit. Cut out unnecessary running around. This is a time for building, not depleting our spiritual resources. Increase your quiet time of prayer and meditation, read a bit of scripture each day, even if it’s just focusing seriously on the daily readings for the first time in a while. This is your journey to be with God in a new way. It doesn’t have to be according to someone else’s plan.

Choose blocks of time each day when the phone is out of reach. Be present in the moment. Be present if God decides to share something with you. Turn off the car radio when you’re driving alone and drive in silence. (Best advice a young priest gave me when I had my first few children and was overwhelmed) It’s an amazing time to just “be”. When you eat, ask yourself, “Is this building up my body or tearing it down?” Same thing with conversations with friends. Are we building up or tearing down? I think Lent can be a wonderful reset. A reminder that Our God is always there. We may have dark times when we can’t feel him or hear him, but sometimes we can’t hear him because we surround ourselves with so much noise he can’t get through.

This is a period of spiritual housekeeping. In my temple of the Holy Spirit, it’s time to clean out the closets and under the rugs and even the garage where I keep the things I don’t want to think about. I will bring it all to God through prayer and eventually confession – the mighty dumpster for spiritual housekeeping. If you have a lot to dump, cross state lines if you must and go to confession where no one knows you. You will be amazed by how incredible you feel once you’ve relieved yourself of so much unwanted extra baggage.

Purify, simplify, sanctify. Those are my areas of focus this lent. Come on in! The water’s fine! I’m here if you need a companion on the journey. God Bless you and keep you.

Laura