I read somewhere recently (I can never remember where I read stuff) that Lent is not about us - but about God. It is not about how much we can give up - or take on - but what God is doing in each of us. And I think I like that idea - it sorta of takes the pressure off - it means we ( I ) don’t have to prove anything - I don’t have to work at getting God’s favor - I can just be… and yet that is probably harder than giving up or taking on.

This retirement thing??? Today is the first day that I don’t have anything planned to do - nothing noted on my  calendar. I could have stayed in bed all day - or at the least stayed in pj‘s all day - the dogs don’t care… I could even have skipped the shower - again - but no I didn’t do any of that. I tell myself that I am ‘in discernment’ waiting to hear from God what I’m to do next… so far just mumblings….. nothing very clear…………

So - God - what are you doing in me today? Maybe it’s this:

"Lent is a liberating reminder that I'm not stuck. Because God speaks in new voices and in unexpected ways, change can come. Renewal is possible. And in the ultimate Christian mystery that awaits us a few Sundays from now, even physical death leads to resurrection life. "(From Journey with Jesus, for Sunday March 4, 2012)

So rather than struggling to find my voice - maybe I just need to open the ears of my heart…

Maybe that is what Lent is all about anyway - opening up to the mystery, splendor and majesty of our God…
(cartoon courtesy of Google)