Behold, now is an Acceptable time

Joel 2:12-18; 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Ash Wednesday has always been a day of great mystery and promises for me. Mysterious because we talk so much of dying, saying no to things, and cleaning your soul. It seemed so morbid. And to top it off, ashes are placed on our forehead and we are reminded that we come from dust and will return to dust. I wasn't sure I really wanted to understand it much. As I have gotten older I have come to appreciate and look forward to Lent. It is a time of dying to our old ways and learning again who we are in Christ.

The Bible passages today are so profound, and inspire me to reflect on how I can make this Lent a time of great renewal and penance.

In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the 3 ways we should focus our penance during Lent; through prayer, fasting, and alms-giving. These three practices help us to get away from being so self-centered and self-critical. 

Praying is an act of growing in relationship with God. This is done not just through our words, but through listening. We spend so much time speaking when we pray. Taking time to work on our prayer life helps us to grow in our listening, and answering the promptings from God. He wants to speak words of love, encouragement, and share his desire for you. He wants us! He loves us! and He wants us to know this deeply. We are beloved by God. Working on our prayer life, we learn how to hear those words from Him more readily. This helps us to not only live each day, but to find ways to thrive each day, knowing that God loves us. 

I've seen this a lot in my life, especially when I was disabled. I couldn't do anything. Even sitting in a chair was difficult. I couldn't work, I had a hard time sleeping, and I needed so much help just in simple daily tasks. It is a very daunting life, and I didn't know if that stage would ever end. This is true for so many people that find themselves in that stage of life. I was so full of thinking about myself and the things that were taken away from me, that I didn't focus on who God knows me to be. As I made myself grow in my prayer life, I began to see the person that I am now. How I could use the struggles I had been given for good. More importantly, I was able to see more clearly just how much I mean to our beloved Father. 

I started to gain a more positive outlook at life again. Not only did my attitude change, but I also saw a significant increase in my relationships with my family. I relearned what it meant to be me, as an individual, as a member of my family, and as a member in society. I recognized a greater appreciation in enjoying things more. I stretched myself in what I thought I knew about me. In the process I think I became a more faithful and joyful person. Not only was I reminded of my wonderful strengths, but I also learned that I was creative and enjoyed painting and just making things. I learned how deeply I enjoyed board games and learned that I could still enjoy them in the physical state I was in. I learned just how nerdy I was when it came to movies and tv shows. I also learned that although I enjoy sharing those things with others, I really do like who I am and can actually enjoy doing those things alone.

I think my prayers helped me to stop seeing myself as someone that has to do things to be valued, and instead to see the beauty that God sees in me at every moment. I relearned that my value as a person had not diminished, and that no matter what physical state I was in, I was wanted. I started to not only learn how to accept my life but to find ways to prosper. This really helped me to challenge myself to really see others the same way. And, that dramatically changed my desire to leave my house, even in the midst of so much physical pain, because I wanted to witness the wonder and beauty of my family and friends flourish. I have amazing people in my life and didn't want to miss an opportunity to witness their joy, laughter, silliness, strength, and beauty...as well as walk with them in their struggles as they walk with me in mine.

During Lent, we are given a time to grow in our relationship with God. To break down the barriers we have built. To open ourselves up to listening to His words and promptings. To allow Him to speak his goodness and beauty to us. To be reminded that we are beloved and wanted. And to share that truth with others. In a time where there is so much pain, trauma and confusion, let us be bearers of the light. 

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians, "we are ambassadors for Christ". In order to be good ambassadors we have to deeply know Him, and be in relationship with Him. How will you find a way to grow in your prayer life this Lent? How can you share the truth with others so that they will understand more deeply their beauty and goodness and the love that God wants them to feel?