Friday, January 25, 2008
lent foreward
Tonight I was talking to friends about lent and what they planned to give up. I feel like I have spent the past few years paring down. I gave up pleasure shopping for the entirety of last year. I got rid of excess when I moved in August and have lived with bare walls in preparation for the next relocation. I've given good wishes to several friends who have moved away and have worked to shake off old grudges. I give up a lot of sleep to get to my job and jewelry and makeup to be simple. I don't feel anything extra is dragging me down. Instead, I feel an emptiness that needs to be filled. I need to embrace something. What can I embrace that will feel like spiritual abundance?
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6 comments:
I love this idea, Hazel. Hmm. How about a trip? L'abri comes to mind. I went there for some spiritual feeding and it was wonderful. They have several US locations...along with some overseas ones too. Spring break destination? Summer trip?
Any hobby to delve into? Talk more about this and I'll brainstorm some more with you.
I'll have to look into that. Did you have to spend all day studying at L'abri?
You are getting my mind working about my "thing" for Lent. I think I have already begun my Lenten journey... respecting myself and enjoying the intuition that God gave me. Respecting yourself and allowing God to speak deeply in your life fills the hole you are talking about.
At least I think it is.
No! You work in the mornings (gardening, meal prep, cleaning) and then you "study" in the afternoons. Communal meals, great conversations, your own private tutor to discuss your studies. Then there are free days to go sightseeing, do something fun. I went to the Swiss L'abri which is located in a quaint swiss village that is GORGEOUS.
By the way, I went by myself. Didn't know a soul. Make the whole trek alone and it was wonderful.
hazel- reading your most recent 3 entries, i was thinking...l'abri. and here didi mentioned it. ;) tea twice a day, study, work and play. lots of intellectual conversation over homemade meals- food for the soul. of course the english l'abri holds my heart.
your thoughts on lent and a needed filling moved me. may you find the ground outside your tent covered with fresh manna.
so i am a bit late, but lent doesn't start till Wednesday. i was talking with a catholic-born friend yesterday and she always got tired of giving something up for lent that she instead wants to take something up that will in the same way cause a bit of sacrifice. then, come Easter, she may have just acquired a good habit. what good can we incorporate into our lives, either for ourselves or others, that is a sacrifice of our time/gifts/resources that we can give back to God?
i hope i am not the only indulging on a Punczki tomorrow... if i could only get my Pennsylvania Dutch husband to stop denying their true existence...
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