A Stone for Lent

Recently, our family conversations have centered on the importance of repentance and sanctification in our Christian faith.  During this season of growth in my knowledge and understanding of these Christian virtues, I have encountered information in various forms about the observance of Lent.

I have never practiced Lent.  I was only vaguely aware that it is something that Catholics or Orthodox Christians do.  Suddenly, several days prior to the onset of Lent, I found myself surrounded by Lenten messages and symbols.  They appeared in my email inbox, on church signs, and in conversations.

  

I did a little reading and learned that the 40 days of Lent (the 40 days prior to Easter) are a reflection of the 40 days that Jesus was tested in the wilderness by the devil.  I also learned that on the first day of Lent, known as "Ash Wednesday," many believers place ashes on their foreheads.  This symbolizes their sorrow over their sin that crucified Christ.

Many observe Lent by giving up something that is dear to them, as a way to keep their focus on Christ.

These concepts dovetailed beautifully into what I had been learning in Scripture about the importance of living a dedicated life.  I decided to take a stab at observing Lent this year.  


Then, on Ash Wednesday morning, I awakened with a severe, stabbing pain in my left side.  The day progressed and the pain did not diminish.  That afternoon, I saw the doctor, who asked if I had ever experienced a kidney stone.  I said that I had, and then the light flashed on.  I was in the midst of an "episode."

Later that night, while lying uncomfortably in bed, I considered the symbolism of suffering on Ash Wednesday.  I had been learning about mortifying the flesh, had just decided to give up my on-line addiction (Pinterest) for the 40 days of Lent, and then...BAM!  I got hit with some genuine suffering.

Today, as I lay in bed with my heating pad and my LARGE glass of water, a friend texted me this verse:

"...may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you."  ~1 Peter 5:10

This is my Lenten prayer.

If you are interested in learning more about the observance of Lent, I found these resources to be helpful:

http://www.rzim.org/usa/usfv/tabid/436/articleid/10512/cbmoduleid/1133/default.aspx

http://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2012/02/what-is-lent/

And for a wonderful resource for ideas on sharing Lent with your family:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/02/how-to-prepare-a-family-for-lent-printable-create-a-forgivness-fresh-start-place/

  

Gratitude

cozy bed

     Have you ever stopped to consider how fortunate you are to get to crawl into a cozy, soft, blanket-covered bed each night?  Recently, I had a bad, bad "c-o-d-e."  I was achy and unable to breathe at night, so kept awakening, tossing and turning.  I felt miserable.

     Then, I remembered how I used to comfort myself during my nauseated-at-night pregnancy days.  I used to think about women in places like Calcutta, who sleep on the streets each night, with nary a blanket, pillow or mattress to give them comfort.  They sleep on hard, cobbled pavement.  All night long, they hear the rattle of kicked cans, the clacking of carts; they smell urine and rotting food and vomit.  Perhaps sometimes they are even kicked aside, like human refuse, while they try to sleep.  This is their lot whether they had a meal that day or not, whether they are sick or pregnant or nursing a baby.

mother sleeping on the street

I remembered that thought and considered.  I could be sleeping under those conditions with my petty little head cold, and how would that feel?

     I snuggled deep into my luscious mattress, pulled the covers up over my shoulders, burrowed my head in the pillow, and took a deep breath of gratitude.  I have a bed.

Travelogue Portland

January 27 -29, 2012

     Last weekend, Craig, Hayley and I popped up to Portland for a weekend getaway.  Alex and Chelsea live en route, in the university town of Corvallis, about an hour and a half south of Portland.  They needed a break for the school routine, so we packed a lunch for the car ride and north we went.

     After a quick stock-up-on-goodies stop at Trader Joe's, Corvallis, we went to Alex's apartment.  Alex lives in a funky, little place, at the edge of downtown Corvallis.  His front door is steps away from the drive-through window at McDonalds, across his concrete backyard.  We hung out in his living room and caught up on life, while waiting for Chelsea to get off work. 

Alex with his mom - just chill in' in the apartment...

And with pops, goofing off.

The trip photographer, Hayley

Hayley with her Mama at Alex's apartment



Chelsea got off work and we picked her up at her creatively decorated apartment.  But, before getting on the road, we had to surprise her with a....banjo!!  She and Hayley have been enjoying some indie groups such as Mumford and Sons, which include a lot of banjo.

Chelsea getting her new banjo!!

Chelsea grabbed her overnight bag, locked up her apartment, and we loaded up in the suburban for our one-and-a-half hour drive to Portland.  We quickly checked into our Embassy Suites room (which Craig loved for the togetherness it created with the kids), and headed off to our dinner reservation at the wonderful Peruvian restaurant, Andina.

Andina

Welcome to Portland!!

Best lunch in Portland - Chicken Tikka Massala and Tom Kha Soup from the food carts!

Elevator photo op!

Dinner at Prime after a full day in the Rainy City

And then on Sunday morning, off to check out the new Portland branch of Mars Hill Church

One last Stumptown Capuccino and a little blogging before we hit the road for  home

Bye Portland!!