Category: Soul Care (Page 4 of 10)

3 Truths for Dealing With Covid Chaos, part 2

August 3, 2020 /

Everything is just hard these days.

If you’re like me, every new email in my in-box makes me tired before I even read it.

So I decided two things: 1) I’m going to send this series to you in short posts, one a day and 2) Then I’m going to stop posting for the rest of the month.

Before diving in, may I make a suggestion? Maybe read these in the morning, or whenever you are doing your devotions? Take a little time to soak up the faithfulness of God through His Word.

Last Monday I wrote about dealing with chaos as a spiritual practice that God may use to make us more like Jesus.

Kind of like alcoholics admit they are powerless over alcohol, I suggested that a first step is to admit we are powerless over much of the chaos swirling around us in this season.

via GIPHY

That doesn’t mean that God is powerless, or surprised, or not at work on our behalf!

I believe we have two choices:

We can choose to live BOTTOM UP – starting with our circumstances and projecting onto God (That is…If things are bad, God must be bad.)

OR we can choose to live TOP DOWN – starting with the character of God and trusting Him to bring the meaning to our circumstances.

As I live in the tangled mess of uncertainty that is my life right now, I remember three truths a friend shared with us years ago – you have nothing to prove, nothing to lose, and nothing to fear.

These truths are rooted in the character of God. But it’s only as I trust Him, living top down, that they make a difference.

I’d like to share these with you accompanied by a bunch of Scripture that I pray will bring some calm to your chaos.

Truth #1: You have nothing to prove.

We each have an ego-driven self that is bent on proving our control and worth, and if we ever had a year that showed us the futility of that it’s 2020, amiright?

Circumstances are tenuous for everyone – schooling options, job opportunities, health, family dynamics, Covid restrictions, finances… When you lean into these to define your worth you’re living out of your false self. But…

God is EL ROI – the One who sees me.

Circumstances change, but what will never change is God’s presence and the way He cherishes you. No.Matter.What.

You are a beloved child of the creator of the universe. This is your true identity and you don’t have to prove anything.

As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.

Isaiah 65:2

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you  with singing.”

zephaniah 3:17

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
 You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain.

psalm 139:1-12

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.  For we are God’s handiwork…

Ephesians 2:8-9

Which of these do you need to hear most today?

What does it say about who God is and who you are?

3 Truths for Dealing With Covid Chaos, part 1

July 27, 2020 /

The other day I was at a tennis drill that was, well…maddening. It was designed to create chaos in order to help us practice responding under pressure.

The pro would feed a “poachable” ball to the net player on one side and the player’s goal was to pound it directly at the feet of her opposing net player.

If the net player was able to return the ball it wouldn’t be pretty and it was unpredictable. The point would unfold from there, everyone trying to survive and bring some kind of order to the chaos.

If you don’t play tennis and don’t understand the explanation above, it doesn’t matter. The point is that chaos was meant to help us get better.

green tennis ball on court
Photo by Bogdan Glisik on Pexels.com

Turns out I don’t do great in chaos. Few of us do. Welcome to 2020.

After the drill I was talking to the pro and he said the thing that happens with everyone in chaos is that they tense up.

You feel the pressure to prove yourself or perform in the midst of uncertainty, and your muscles tighten. You’re afraid of losing.

You play from a place of fear and confusion. My coach said the first step is just acknowledging what’s going on. Say to yourself, “I’m in a hard position here. Just breathe, relax and ask what’s the next right thing to do.”

I do not believe God “sent” or “created” this pandemic. Illness is a result of the Fall. But God did allow this, and I believe He desires to use it to form us into people more like Him if we’re willing to pay attention.

This week, situations reminded me of three truths a friend of ours used to repeat years ago, which I’ll write about in the coming days. But first I had to acknowledge the situation – the chaos and the resulting pain.

We may be inclined to think that God judges us for being brutally truthful with Him about how we’re feeling – emotions of anger, confusion or uncertainty. But we see differently in Scripture, especially in the Psalms.

Like an inconsolable toddler reaching up for his mother, crying out to God is intimate. It draws us near to His heart.

I call out at the top of my lungs, “God! Answer! I’ll do whatever you say.” …

I was up before sunrise, crying for help, hoping for a word from you. I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise. In your love, listen to me; in your justice, God, keep me alive…

Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word. Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise…

Put your hand out and steady me since I’ve chosen to live by your counsel…

And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me! I’ll recognize the sound of your voice.

psalm 119 MSG

So, today, maybe talk to God honestly about how you feel in this season of chaos. Journal a prayer or take a walk and pray. Acknowledge the situation and your needs.

What is the Invitation of God for You in This Season?

July 10, 2020 /

Once a year we would make the trek from the suburbs of Chicago to this hot humid wonderland where we would get sweaty playing softball in the yard, and then spend hours in the pool playing Marco Polo.

You remember that game, right? The person who’s “IT” closes their eyes and yells, “Marco!”

All the other players, scattered around the pool, have to respond, “Polo!” and the person who’s IT tries to catch one of them by swimming/lunging quickly through the water to the sound of their voice.

To this day, if Katy, Maggie or I get separated from each other in a store, we’ll call out, “Marco!” and wait for the others to respond, “Polo!” so we can find each other. (Yes, we get some weird looks).

The other day after I heard Pete Wynter from HTB say, “Covid has been an INVITATION, not just an INTERRUPTION.” After reflecting, I posted on Instagram, some of the invitations I recognize in this season and one of them is a Marco Polo type invitation.

I believe it’s an invitation to silence the divisive voices of the politicians and the haters for a time and call out “Jesus!”

Then be still and listen for His response. Maybe He’ll call back to you through His Word, or with a whisper, “Here I am. Come this way.”

How will you know it’s Him?

His voice is always alined with Scripture.

His voice is always consistent with love.

His voice may not always agree with you, but it is life-giving.

If He speaks conviction it will be to draw you back to Himself with grace and forgiveness, not shame.

As I was thinking about the invitation to listen for God’s voice, I heard this song from Amanda Lindsey Cook. I pray it’s a gift for your weekend.

Some things you can’t know till you’re still
In the silence
Where your spinning thoughts slow down
In the stillness

Puzzles and Racism

June 8, 2020 /

Raise your hand if you’ve tried a puzzle (or two) during Covid.

Me? I looked long and hard to find a puzzle with a picture I really liked – one I thought would be challenging (1,000 pieces), but have enough color differentiation that it wouldn’t drive me crazy.

Boy did I choose wrong! Can you SEE all the white and shades of gray???

Here’s the thing I know about myself. I’m a 7 on the Enneagram so I love EVERYTHING, but I’m not good at persevering and doing hard work on ONE THING over a long time.

Bottom line? This puzzle turned out to be a spiritual practice for me. It took me forever (honestly probably a month), and every day I wanted to give up, but I kept going – one more day, one more day. Note: I did not receive any help from John and for that I trust he’ll pay at the judgment day.

I prayed the discipline required to complete this project would translate into other hard areas of my life where I’m tempted to quit or take short cuts.

That’s why I’m sharing this with you. The challenges before us – fighting racism, changing unjust systems, rebuilding broken lives – are going to take hard work and dedication for the long-haul.

There will be many days when we can’t see progress.

Days when the pieces don’t seem to fit.

Days when it seems way too hard.

Days when we need to remind ourselves that our brothers and sisters of color have been suffering and carrying this injustice for hundreds of years!

The pieces of my puzzle, with little to indicate the picture it would become, sat on our dining room table mocking me. I wanted to ignore it, but right next to the messy pieces, was the box with the image of what I was working towards.

What’s the picture we’re working to create with God’s help?

It’s a picture of His kingdom on earth, one that won’t be complete until Jesus comes again to wipe away every tear and bring a new order (Rev. 21).

But until then, we’re turning to Him to strengthen and guide us to start piecing together a picture of the kingdom where we honor God’s image in everyone.

It’s a picture where love and justice reign.

Where racism isn’t tolerated.

Where the needy are seen and cared for.

Where people listen to each other with humility and respect.

With my puzzle, on the hardest days, just getting one or two pieces were enough to keep me coming back.

  • Maybe the puzzle piece we find today is listening to the experience of someone who looks different from us, or reading up on white privilege or joining a webinar on anti-racism.
  • Maybe today is the day we repent of abdicating responsibility and tacitly supporting racist systems.
  • Maybe it’s signing a petition, or advocating – writing to a government official.
  • Maybe it’s donating goods to a food pantry, or cleaning our streets in the aftermath of riots.
  • Maybe it’s a peaceful protest or fervent prayer.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.

“These are the very days for the prophetic resistance of our joy and hope, for the practice of the Kingdom of God right in the snarl of the ‘Not Yet.’”

Sarah bessey

Soul Food When You Hate Waiting

May 2, 2020 /

I read somewhere this week that we’re past the initial phase of this pandemic when adrenaline was giving us energy. Now we’re just weary, realizing we’re going to need to slog along, waiting for a return to “normal” for longer than we hoped.

via GIPHY

One of the things my spiritual director has encouraged me to reflect on is what God accomplished in times of waiting in the Bible.

via GIPHY

For example, when Mary and Martha send for Jesus to come heal Lazarus, it says:

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, 

john 11:5-6

Later Jesus says to the disciples:

“Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there…

john 11:14-15

Jesus makes some clear statements about why (so that God would be glorified and they would believe), but what else might He have wanted to accomplish by dilly-dallying and allowing Lazarus to die? Why make Mary and Martha wait?

I hate to admit it, but waiting makes me desperate, and passionate and I can interact with Jesus a little like this…

via GIPHY

Maybe that’s another reason why He allows me to be in situations where I have to wait. My relationship with Him is intensified. It’s raw and real, and draws me closer to Him.

If you’ve been through a hard time with someone –

  • waiting to get news with a family member in the E.R.
  • waiting with a friend to talk to police after being the victim of a crime
  • waiting with your family for your unemployment check to come
  • waiting with your spouse to get pregnant
  • waiting with colleagues to find out if the client wants to hire you

– you get to know your companions on a whole different level right?

Vulnerability leads to greater intimacy. And waiting makes us vulnerable.

I’ll be honest. I like greater intimacy with Jesus, but I sure don’t like what it takes to get me there! Anyway…enough serious stuff.

Whether you’re waiting for the pandemic to be over, or waiting for something else, I hope some of these posts from Instagram make you smile. You can find me, or any of these accounts here.

My Therapist Says
Bustle

Another thing I’m trying to do while waiting is find things to celebrate!

Cinco de Mayo is coming up Tuesday and I’m going to try these shrimp tacos from pinchofyum.com that Maggie and Katy have been raving about. They’ve assured me liberal substitutions are permitted!

pinchofyum.com

What’s keeping your spirits up during these days of waiting? What are you learning?

Driving Blind

April 8, 2020 /

I listen in the darkened sanctuary as a young worship leader passionately describes an experience he had, standing on the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland

He says, “The sky was the brightest blue, and the grass an emerald green beneath my feet as I peered down over the jagged cliffs to watch seagulls dancing, and the waves throwing themselves at the shore.

I was so moved that I stepped back from the precipice and spontaneously started singing, ‘Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands hath made…I see the stars, I hear the roaring thunder, Thy power throughout the universe displayed…How great Thou art…’”

Instead of being moved, I have to work to keep from laughing! 

While my friend saw God’s awesome wonder that looked like this…

This is what I saw:

When I visited this iconic spot in Ireland, fog wrapped around us like wet wool. We inched along in our rented car, slowly climbing up the steep, narrow road, then down. 

At the bottom there was a small shop, so I went inside and asked, “Did we just drive past the Cliffs of Moher?”

With a lovely Irish accent, the salesgirl cheerfully answered, “Yes! It’s gorgeous! Would you like a postcard to see what you missed?” (insert eye roll)

In the fog at the Cliffs of Moher we felt disappointed, out-of-control, and a little scared on the edge of a cliff.

I’ve been thinking about our experience in Ireland during this “foggy” time of the pandemic when we can’t see clearly, we’re not sure exactly what’s next, and we’re disoriented.

How does the fog, or what you see right now make you feel?If you could name the effect of your “fog” right now what would it be?

You may feel like the Psalmist who wrote, Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.

Psalm 31:9

It may seem like you’re driving blind.

Could it be that God wants to use this blindness, like He did with Saul on the road to Damascus, to get our attention?

Maybe in the fog God wants to draw our attention to this: Our sight and power are limited, but His is not.

Elisha and his servant are in a “foggy” time in 2 Kings 6:15-17 when they are surrounded by the Arameans. Danger is the most visible thing.

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Maybe we need to ask, not “What am I seeing?”, but “What am I missing?”

If we had God’s view above the fog on the Cliffs of Moher we would have seen that:

  •  The fog was limited; it wasn’t as pervasive as it felt. There was a beginning and end.
  • Beauty was still there on the other side of the fog.

Think of the “fog” the disciples experienced the last week of Jesus’ life, walking to the cross! Nothing was going like they expected and they couldn’t see through the fog to the resurrection beyond the cross!

All they could see was pain, persecution, and death!

Jesus wasn’t acting like they thought He should, but He saw what they didn’t see. He knew what they didn’t know.  And He loved them beyond measure.

Because we live on the other side of the resurrection we have the benefit of seeing the empty tomb even when there is so much we can’t see.

We have this and many more evidences of God’s faithfulness in Scripture, so even in this confusing time we can trust that He will bring light and life.

This Easter may we lift our eyes above the fog of disorientation and fear and loneliness to the God who sees what we don’t see and knows what we don’t know, and loves us beyond measure.

Soul Food For the New Normal

April 3, 2020 /

As I post this, we are adjusting to the reality that this crisis is going to stretch on much longer that we had thought – feeling more like global extended rehab than a quick trip to the Minute Clinic.

It has the potential to bring out the best in us, but also may reveal some issues in our relationships that we’ve been glossing over. My prayer continues to be that we won’t fill our time with just a different set of numbing distractions, but will come out on the other side of this kinder, humbler, stronger, more self-aware.

So, here are some resources that I pray won’t be distractions, but add value and joy to your physically distanced day!

I always recommend this podcast, but I love, love, loved this episode from the Transforming Center with Ruth Hayley Barton and Steve Wiens, called Listening and Responding to God Amidst the Covid_19 Crisis.

Thanks to my sister-in-law, Susan for passing along this song so appropriate for this season.

I was fascinated by this photo essay called The Great Empty, showing famous places around the world and what they look like during this time of isolation. This emphasizes for me that we are all in this together – it is a global challenge that connects us all.

I love this story about a restaurant in California that is giving people the option of paying for catered meals to be delivered the departments of local hospitals as well as offering regular take out!

Also I’m encouraged by so many creative ways we’re finding to stay connected!

Our friend, Derek posted this, brightening our day.

For our part, we’re decorating and driving in a birthday car parade tomorrow morning. Stay tuned for pictures on Instagram, and daily devotional thoughts on my Stories.

We’re also all retaining our ability to laugh with and at each other!

This season has been a great one to try new recipes since I have a captive guinea pig (John)! The other night I made this – super easy, few ingredients and yummy!

Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Asparagus (VIDEO)

How are you holding up? What’s bringing you joy?

How Do You Make Decisions During a Time of Chaos?

March 30, 2020 /

John and I sit in our study, a cold metal gray Minnesota sky letting barely any light squeeze in. We swivel our comfy chairs towards each other, both with expressions of love, concern, and regret written on our faces regarding a hard decision we have to make.

We had rented a condo in Florida for the month of April, but don’t know if it is wise to go.

I know, I know…I see you rolling your eyes!

via GIPHY

Definitely a first world problem; not the life-and-death, or will-our-business-survive, or can-we-afford-our rent type!

This season has made us more acutely aware of the privilege of having choices and not feeling the desperation many feel.

As we pray and process this decision that would seem of little consequence to many, it strikes me that what guides us in this tiny thing, is relevant to many of the big decisions we face during this pandemic.

Daily we may be guided by the line many have quoted over the years, and most recently by Emily P. Freeman, “Do the next right thing.” but there are times when even that is unclear.

via GIPHY

So here’s what I did that might help you with other types of decisions:

  1. I started by making a list of pros and cons based on the facts that we knew.
  2. Then I made a list of questions – variables that might change, and if they did, would affect our decision.
  3. As a follower of Jesus this last thing was the most important. I asked: What does Scripture say about this? I wasn’t looking for a fear-driven decision, or the most fun, or comfortable decision, but the wisest and most pleasing to God.

Here are some verses that guided me:

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

james 1:5-6

This is not always my first instinct, and I’m also inclined to throw up a prayer and then not stop and be still before rushing forward in my own thinking.

This is a time when it’s important to be guided by facts and advice from experts, but we are bombarded with information that’s changing daily (and we have more time to read it too!) God is the ultimate source of all wisdom.

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live  and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…

deuteronomy 30:19-20

What does “choosing life” look like not just for me, but for my family and community and world?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

There is a greater awareness in this season, that our decisions don’t just impact us, but may affect others, more vulnerable than we are.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

Romans 13:1

Romans 13 was pertinent because while we were praying about this, our governor issued a “shelter-in-place” order.

via GIPHY

In the end, it still wasn’t totally clear to us. John leaned one way, and I leaned the other. We both truly wanted to adhere to Ephesians 5.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21

There’s an additional element that influenced me that may seem odd since we can’t meet physically. I was motivated by the fact that my people are here in MN.

The community I’m closest to and want to serve in any way I can is here. Even if that just means waving from a distance to a mama and toddler, or participating in a birthday car parade, or leaving a wiped down plant on someone’s doorstep, it’s something.

So, we say, along with Peter, It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us…(Acts 15:28) to stay home. We will not be going to FL.

What are some hard decisions you’ve had to make? How have you been creative during this season?

4 Things to do When You’re Out of Control

March 23, 2020 /

I walked to my Starbucks the other day, feeling all sunshiny and full of hope for the one thing I could still count on in our time of chaos, and they are closed indefinitely. (Is God still on His throne??!!)

We were supposed to fly to Chicago last weekend to see my parents, but our flight was cancelled.

I haven’t bought toilet paper in a month and now there is none to be found. I heard a podcast the other day highlighting the different kinds of leaves to use if you run out of toilet paper!

A friend had a birthday this week and I couldn’t give her a hug.

Most of us are planners, amiright?

We plan to go to the gym while the kids are in school. We plan a vacation for Spring Break. We choose to meet friends for coffee, or play tennis, or watch the Master’s golf tournament on T.V.

We love doing what we want, when we want, with no interference.

During this season when nothing is going as we planned and all our illusions of control have been shattered, I think it’s important to pay attention to how we’re responding.

How is loss of control affecting you?

Do you notice little power struggles between you and family members becoming intensified?

Are everyday preferences a battle ground to exert control when so much has been taken away?

John likes complete darkness watching T.V. and low lighting all of the time. I like light, and when most of the other choices in my life have been taken away, this tiny little thing becomes more important.

I realize subconsciously I’m thinking, “I MAY NOT HAVE TOILET PAPER, BUT I WILL HAVE LIGHT DARNIT!”

What are some things we can do to assure that we’ll come out the other side of this better human beings than we were before?

1.Pay attention to what triggers you and be curious. Why is this bugging me? How important is it?

2.Get creative about the choices you DO have! Find ways to chose connection, service, and fun! Maggie and Austin did a virtual Happy Hour and Bingo night with friends. Folks with margin are reading books on video to give parents with restless kids a break.

3.Create a breath prayer for those times when you feel triggered by “out of control” feelings. All you do to create a breath prayer is choose a name for God that is important to you in this season. Breathe it in. Then breathe out a phrase that sums up what you need.

Lately mine has been: “Prince of Peace, settle me down.”

4.Gain perspective by reflecting on all the ways God has been faithful in the past – Guidance? Provision? Course correction? Say a prayer of praise. Look at Psalm 77 for an encouraging model of honesty and choice.

What’s been helpful to you during this time of change, loss, and uncertainty?

I’ve been posting very brief devotional thoughts on my Instagram Stories, and continuing to try to bring joy, encouragement and inspiration on my feed. I’d love to hear from you there!

Soul Food for Lent

March 7, 2020 /

I’ve never liked Lent.

As a kid, Catholics were the bunch who got to leave school early on Wednesdays to go to “CCD”, and did a criss-cross applesauce motion with their hands when they prayed, and had to eat fish on Fridays. The whys and whereof’s were a total mystery to the rest of us – the uninitiated.

As young adult it seemed like the thing to do to go with the flow so I half-heartedly tried giving up something for lent, choosing something like desserts that would serve me and my waistline as well as Jesus. It was all about trying to be as disciplined as Jesus, appear holy, and lose some weight.

This author said it well:

“Our practice of Lent has been too easily turned into a competition, a scaling of the spiritual ladder, proudly (even if silently) chuckling at those who too easily give up on the gym or the wagon.”

EMMY R. KEGLER

Also, as a 7 on the Enneagram, I have a built in excuse for being bad at “Lenting”. I’m all about joy and run from grief and sacrifice like Wile E. Coyote being chased by Road Runner.

But this is exactly why it’s important for me to pay attention to the experiences, reflection, and practices of Lent.

One way spiritual formation happens is when we pay attention with Jesus, to what makes us uncomfortable, and respond.

I truly believe what’s meaningful for one person in preparing for Easter, may not be fruitful for another. This is why, when I saw Sarah Bessey’s 40 Simple Practices for Lent, I thought, brilliant! But…

Though I love this idea and many of Sarah’s suggestions, not all of them resonate with me, so I took the ones that were meaningful and substituted my own where I wanted.

I have found it really drawing me to Jesus so far, but only as I don’t view it as a checklist, but instead, suggestions for focused reflection.

And you know what?? You could do this too!

I linked to Sarah’s list, and I’ll put mine below (remember, I’m using a bunch of her ideas – noted with *). But you can make your own list too.

Or just choose one or two things from the list! No legalism here. It’s between you and God.

Also, whatever you decide, I’m not going in order, but choosing each day one that feels right.

  1. Subscribe to a Lenten devotional or app (I’m doing the one from NCC )
  2. Choose to fast from speaking negatively about anyone or complaining for the day. Reflect on this fast.
  3. Pray for your enemies or those who have hurt you by name. Bless them as beloved children of God.*
  4. Read a contemporary book on suffering or loss such as A Grace Disguised (memoir), Shades of Light (fiction), or What Grieving People Wish You Knew About What Really Helps (nonfiction)
  5. Choose silence – no phone or internet.*
  6. Donate 40 things to charity.*
  7. Practice Sabbath. Worship. Power off. Do something that brings you joy.
  8. Repent. Read Amos 5*
  9. Look for light and beauty around you today. As you notice it, thank Jesus for the darkness, and ugly brutality He endured for you.
  10. Choose the discipline of secret service today. Bless someone anonymously. Don’t tell anyone.
  11. Write a prayer or blessing for your church staff. Drop it off with treats.
  12. Speak words of forgiveness out loud to yourself for that thing you’ve been holding onto for too long.*
  13. Light a candle and reflect on one word from Scripture for five minutes. Examples: mercy, forgiven, beloved.*
  14. At dinner, pray for persecuted Christians around the world.
  15. Plant a flower bulb. Take it to someone who needs hope in their darkness.
  16. Imagine God looking at you with infinite love, and tenderness, kindness and mercy.*
  17. Write out Matthew 11:28-30 and tape it to your mirror.*
  18. Read Psalm 139 from an unfamiliar translation like The Passion.
  19. Text someone who may feel lonely or unseen a word of encouragement.
  20. Do a biblical word study of “wilderness”
  21. Unfollow or mute 5 social media accounts that make you feel angry, afraid, or envious.*
  22. Give away 40 compliments or words of affirmation to strangers and friends.
  23. Write a thank you note to someone who has sacrificed for you.
  24. Read Ted Loder’s “I Praise You for this Resurrection Madness” from Guerrillas of Grace
  25. Do a prayer walk through your neighborhood.
  26. Listen to “See a Victory”. What does it mean to you personally that the battle belongs to the Lord? How does it impact you that you know the end of the story?
  27. Write a Psalm of Lament for injustice you or people you love have experienced.*
  28. Tip someone 40% ( a sacrifice)
  29. Say the breath prayer “Lord I can’t. You can.” as you picture those you’re praying for.
  30. Read Psalm 51 in 3 different versions.*
  31. Attend a Stations of the Cross service, or do a reflection on them (I’m using Remember Me, by Sharon Garlough Brown, but it is a sequel and won’t be as meaningful if you haven’t read Shades of Light first.)
  32. Repeat the Jesus prayer throughout the day: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God have mercy on me, a sinner.” Consider using “beloved” in place of “sinner”.*
  33. Take dinner to a busy family with little kids. (These moms in particular are in a season of sacrifice for their family)
  34. Listen to Sara Groves’ song “We Wait”. Reflect on what it was like for the women around Jesus to wait through the Sabbath, doing nothing after He was crucified.
  35. Donate 40 canned goods to a food shelf.*
  36. Invite some friends over for dinner. Ask them to share a time when someone sacrificed for them.
  37. Go sit in an empty sanctuary and pray for all that will go on in that space.
  38. Choose a name for Jesus – Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, Bread of Life, Bridegroom… and look up Scripture to help you flesh out your understanding.
  39. Advocate for the oppressed. Check out IJM or World Vision.
  40. Use the practice of Lectio Divina (repeated reflective reading) with this verse: John 16:33.

What are you doing for Lent? Anything? Share what’s meaningful in the comments!

I’m over on Instagram if you want to come hang out! I’ll try to post some pictures of what this has looked like for me with the hashtag #whatlentlookslike.

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