And so we’ve begun. Ready or not we are on the journey to the cross. The winding road of the Lenten journey stretches out ahead of us into the wilderness. What might yet be revealed to us, who we may still encounter, is unknown, but still we walk. With the feeling of last night’s ashes still on our brow, we notice this connection- to the dust, to the earth, to one another, and to God. As we settle into the rhythm and pace of the season, we have the opportunity to loosen our grip on the itinerary and allow ourselves to be changed by the journey.
Whether you are fasting from or taking on practices this Lent, hear this: there is space to take a breath. The noise of our lives rings loud, the tumult of our nation expands, and the pace of our lives quickens, yet even now, as Pastor Emily reminded us last night at our Ash Wednesday service, there is space to return to God. Even right this minute. Pause. Take three deep breaths. Remind yourself that these Lenten practices are not a 40-day sprint focused on earning your way to faithfulness, but a practice of holding space open in your life to recognize the ways God shows up.
Taking three deep breaths is how we begin and end each meeting of our Lenten morning prayer gathering. We take one to connect with ourselves, one to connect with our community, and one to connect with God. On Thursdays at 8:15 am, we meet in the Commons for this time to be together, to offer our prayers for our community, for our world, for ourselves, to hear from scripture, and to join our voices, hearts, and spirits together as we step into the space of intentional community this season. If you are looking for a space to cultivate some ease, some slowness, or some community on your journey in this season, please don’t hesitate to join us.
With hope for the road ahead,
Olena
