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Practice

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

O Lord, our Lord, you have created us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. --St. Augustine

Today is the first day of Lent. As Lent was drawing nearer, I heard a flurry of resolutions of things people were going to give up during this 40 day period of fasting, devotion, and prayer. For me, I was at a loss. I had a conversation with Don and he mentioned that anything we'd be giving up is a vice that we should do without anyway. I took pause and thought about that statement. He's right. I should work every day to give up the complaining and spend more time being grateful for the gifts I've received from God. I should be more active and present in the moment instead of being distracted by the television, the computer, the phone, etc. As with anything that you want to get better at, you must practice. I hope to practice generosity, practice penance, practice prayer, practice having an open heart.

This year, I'm going to spend more time being active and present, focusing my efforts on being an all around better person. More tolerant of words and comments that normally affect me, instead, biting my tongue and marinating on what was said and why it was said. I want to spend more time listening and writing instead of talking.

Isaiah 58 calls us to have a "change of heart" so to speak. This chapter particularly reminds me of the core of the Lenten journey.

I pray for those of you on your own Lenten journey and for those of you not participating, I still invite you to be open and generous, and try to reach out to someone in need and listen, really listen. Maybe you'll be inspired.

1 comment:

Kristen, pajama mama said...

your lenten challenge was one of my new years goals. now's about the time that I need to be reminded of it and refresh my efforts.

St. Augustine seems like he was so wise, don't you think?

Blessing for the season, thanks for sharing!

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