leaving...

the past couple of years i've experienced the season of lent in a new and redeeming way. growing up i thought of lent as the time you gave up chocolate and you couldn't eat meat on certain days and it all lead up to easter when i could gorge myself with chocolate bunny ears (that's the best part of course).

but my church, mars hill, changed my understanding of lent. it's now a season of leaving...and finding rest, peace, more space for love. so this year i've decided to "leave" my TV. a time sucker for sure, and sometimes a means to just fill the silent void. and surprisingly it hasn't been too hard...a little strange at first to have so much quiet. but i have all this time now to read, listen to music, connect with family and friends, catch up on projects, be still. i find that i'm going to bed sooner as well. no more late night tv to "unwind" from the day.

but i don't want to pride myself on this accomplishment. i want to remain focused that this season is more than just about what i will gain...but that i want to center myself so i can have more capacity to be aware of the injustices, the needs, the hungers and wounds that exist. the places where there should be more love, more peace, more justice. to know that the things that stir my heart are the things that stir the heart of God.