Lent & "Ascend"

Hi, friends! I meant to write a Lent-related post last week since Wednesday was the start of Lent. Unfortunately, I never got around to it. Today I want to share some thoughts about this liturgical season, along with a haiku I wrote recently.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't know much about some of the practices and history surrounding Lent. However, for me, these six weeks feel like an opportunity to reprioritize, simplify, and de-clutter my heart and mind. To hand some things over to God that are distracting me from what really matters in exchange for the joy of drawing closer to Him.

The word "joy" has been on my mind a lot recently. I think it's finally starting to sink in that surrendering to God, though sometimes uncomfortable, can also be a genuinely life-bringing experience. And, like everything in the Christian life, there is so much Grace for our mistakes.

So far, I haven't approached Lent perfectly. I've done things I knew I shouldn't and regretted it later. But I've also experienced the Love of God in deep, healing ways. I hope to become more like Jesus, step by step, day by day, even amidst challenges and shortcomings.

Although it doesn't directly relate to Lent, here's the haiku I wrote, "Ascend".

Ascend

Ascend, small sparrow,

past these rusted bars of fear -

springtime is calling.

This week, I pray peace, hope, and freedom over you. May you ascend to new heights as you seek the One who is worthy of all praise.

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"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you." - James 4:8-10 (ESV)

"We have freedom now, because Christ made us free. So stand strong in that freedom. Don’t go back into slavery again." - Galatians 5:1-2 (ERV)