Lenten Problems and Practices

Having been brought up by a Catholic mother, while also being instructed in the basics of Protestantism by my father, the season of Lent has always been a time of decision. How shall I observe Lent this year, by giving something up, or by giving of myself? Quite a dilemma and fraught with confusion and a fair share of guilt. As an adult I’ve studied the differing ways these two denominations “do” Lent and discovered both the value, as well as, the pitfalls of “giving up” versus “giving of”.

Pointing a finger squarely at myself, I can honestly admit I have committed each denominations mistakes. As a youngster, pride reared its head if my sacrifice for Lent seemed greater than my best friend’s. The problem of coming out ahead through sacrifice (if I give up chocolate, I might lose a couple of pounds) was and still is present. The difficulties of a basically self-centered, loner-personality are hard to overcome. As an adult in a reformed church I’ve felt slightly smug when giving of myself.

Protestants, I think, underestimate the value of giving something up for Lent. When you forfeit chocolate or TV for Lent, you are aware many times a day of your sacrifice. Each time you long for that cookie you realize how small your offering is compared to Christ’s sacrifice. Each time you wish you could satisfy your habit, you remember God. That is no small thing. The time isn’t meant for wallowing in sin, but in acknowledging the immense love God had for us and how infrequently we return that love or even think of Him.

Giving of ourselves brings us closer to the “what would Jesus do?” question. How can we bring His Kingdom closer, how do we show our love and tolerance for those around us and especially for those who are different from us. But if it’s a one shot deal during the 40 days, is it really effective? If it is a daily “offering” of ourselves for 40 days, that is indeed, a fitting gift to our Lord, but how to accomplish it takes great dedication and thought.

The questions I ask myself, are — What can I do that will bring me a greater awareness of God’s nearness and keep me in His presence? What can I offer to show my love for Him? How can I bring about His Kingdom in some small way?

There is no best way to observe Lent. Each of the two ways, and there are many others, I’m sure, are valid, if done with love. Isn’t that what Lent, faith and Christianity all boil down to; God’s tremendous love for us and our half-hearted attempts to love Him back? So, standing before God’s love, as if it were the world’s tallest mountain, I come with a tiny pebble, no bigger than a grain of sand, and I offer it to Him in complete humility, knowing He sees it and understands. It’s the only thing I can do.

A Christmas Prayer

I said a prayer this morning for the members of Grove church. I prayed that you would each discover the things in your life that bring you close to God

To do that, I’d like to suggest that you spend as much time choosing the perfect gift for yourself as you would for a friend. Make a Christmas gift list to determine what triggers that moment of perfect faith when you know you are loved by God, when you love Him back, when you connect with everyone and everything else in His creation. There are times, places, situations unique to each of us that expand our hearts enough for God’s love to enter. It’s a blessing when they occur unexpectedly, but if you want to encourage them to happen more frequently, you need to know yourself.

Open wide your five senses and begin to write. What do you see that brings you to Him? Sunsets, grandchildren, fine artwork? What do you hear? Chirping sparrows? Music by the Gaithers? Touch? The miracle of cat fur, the softness of flower petals? Don’t forget smell and taste. True gratitude for a sweet, juicy orange or a memory evoked by the scent of pine needles may lead you straight to His side.

God has already given us the perfect gift, His infinite love come down to us in Jesus Christ. We know it, we believe it, but to live it, we need to remember. And to remember His love we need to notice daily the things that trigger our love.

So make your list, find those people, situations, books, memories and dreams, and surround yourself with them. Make a favorite chair your sanctuary, gift yourself this Christmas with a spiritual book from the Upper Room, immerse yourself in the glory of God’s creation through nature, art, music, friendship, pour your heart into kindness and generosity, encircle yourself with loved ones, rejoice in memories, and dive headfirst into a prayer of thanksgiving for your past, present and future with the Lord God Almighty, the King of Kings, the One who loved you first, and who will forever love you more than the world can ever know!

The St. Francis Prayer

For my recent move to an apartment, I decided to have a small corner chair reupholstered. I was immediately charmed, when the young man giving the estimate asked, with a slight Turkish accent, “What do we name dis tiny tink?”

My church’s Friday evening Taize service consists mostly of tiny tinks–simple melodies with brief lyrics repeated several times in between prayers and Scripture. This morning the beginning notes of a song playing on the radio reminded me of one. The hymn’s words, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom,” came to mind and prompted this piece.

Our world is so big, so full of sad news and tragedy that it’s easy to become overwhelmed or cynical. Count your blessings, be grateful for the small things, we’ve always been urged, and it’s still excellent advice. God continually sends little things to help us recall his love. If we are attuned to his gifts, He surrounds us with constant reminders but, in order to grow spiritually, we need to take them a step further and connect them to prayer.

With prayer we refine our focus, which has become so scattered by constant multi-tasking. With prayer we calm our minds. Short prayers bring our attention to God more frequently and are easy to remember. The prayer of St. Francis is an easy way to begin praying without ceasing.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life. Amen.

It’s a beautiful prayer to memorize in its entirety, and living it would bring one close to perfection, but for now, choose one “tiny tink” and think or say it whenever it comes to mind. Modify the words until they’re comfortable and fit your speech pattern, for instance: Lord, where there’s sadness, let me sow joy; Father, help me try to understand rather than be understood.

Put your faith into action and listen closely to those around you. You’ll begin to tune in and hear the “lacking” word from your chosen prayer. Can you (honestly) offer hope, joy, or consolation ? If not, you may need to fill yourself first. Learning what you lack can be a blessing and I will write more about that another time. For now, look back at the Francis Prayer, see where your strength lies and choose the corresponding couplet. Think it, speak it, and let it flow from your mind and heart to bless others through your conversations and actions.