Hellooooo family,
It's been a while. How have you been? I've missed you.
Voluntary unplugging from blogging for more than a month is tricky. I don't think I can ever get used to the Lenten break. The first weeks go by quickly. Then during the weeks in the middle I need to keep myself from bursting and uploading impromptu posts. Hot topics come in blazing and I always want to weigh in. Luckily I eventually find the discipline to commit to the fast. You know that video of Julius Malema where he says, "we are cruising"? The final weeks of unplugging feel that way. Before I know it it's Easter and I've got to come out of hiding.
Lent 2022 was a peaceful blessing. One that took me down memory lane on so many occasions. I hadn't been to church for Lent consistently since 2019. I used to feel like Covid robbed me of the experience. Now, I just feel like it gifted me with a new perspective. A lot of things felt like they were new. Like I had never experienced them before or like I had overlooked their value. It felt like I had a 180 turn of some sorts.
It was still Lenty. Don't get me wrong. The fast was hard. My highlight was how I dodged the meat craving bullet successfully on Ash Wednesday. What a victory. That one is always so weird - my craving for meat is on steroids on the day. To the extent that I have a friend who has made it his mission to be my very own personal reminder.
Did you ever get the "how can you go to war without your weapon?" question from your teachers in primary every time you forgot a pen? I always thought they were being hectic. What war? What weapon? Well, this Lent had me feeling that type of way about prayer and how we often overlook it.
I always feel like the alms giving aspect of Lent is personal. So, let me keep it at that.
This Lent I was just reminded of so many ways in which I've changed and many ways in which I've remained the same. I found myself conflicted and yet comforted by my 180 turns. What a rabbit hole! In the end, I focused on the bottom lines. Maybe that's what life is all about. Transitioning and finding rhythm during every season. Right?
I hope that you had a good Lenten season. I hope that your prayers will be answered. I hope that you were able to recharge. I hope that your relationship with your maker has found new meaning and purpose...
