Today is the first day of Lent, my favorite time of the Church. I love the simplicity, the starkness, the laid-bare soul and reflective spirit of Lent. The tempo marking 'Lento' in music means slow; I always think 'painfully slow'. Time is on me during Lent, the season of slow. And so,
I put away the snowmen, cleaned the living room and replaced winter with quiet white linens, seashells, and pitchers. This year, my outward aim is to shut out the spirit of the world and remember the baptisms of each of my children and my own. The girls and I will be reading their baby journals where I recorded their baptism days, the service, the parties afterwards, what it all meant, and what it will mean when they decide to confirm their baptisms in the church.
We will be talking about relationships and the time it takes to keep them right, to grow and nurture them with patience. And looking to the Master of relationship for His examples of how to treat people and love them well.
My other aim this season is to do the hard things: exercise, communicate effectively, eat well, and use my time well. I want to use my gifts this season, practice them and appreciate them. These are lofty goals and long time coming goals. The winter it is past and the preparations for the lively summer will begin soon, but for now it's slow time.
Give Thanks time, remember time, God time.
