“Let Go” Lent-Part 2

So how is your Lent going? If you read my blog last week you know that I have handed Lent over to the Holy Spirit and am allowing myself to be led to what it is I am to fast from and feast on. What new prayer practices, inspirational books or forwarded emails I am to focus on if at all. Often, I try to cram so much into my spiritual life that nothing sticks. I don’t want to repeat that habit this Lent.

So far, it has become apparent that I am not supposed to get bogged down in three “Make This Lent Your Best” type apps that I downloaded on my phone. (You just can’t tell which one might have the magic formula so you might as well download all of them.) Two of the apps don’t let me get past the screen where they insist I didn’t enter the right password. Too much frustration, so they are out.  So, I’m down to one and that feels just right.

It’s also been made clear that chocolate is fair game this Lent. I tried to fast from the left-over Valentine red, pink, and white M&Ms. I was about to throw them away but ended up eating them instead. The Holy Spirit didn’t stop me. 🙂

What I have felt a very strong pull to fasting from is negativity. I am being called to feast instead on gratitude. So, every morning before my feet hit the floor I thank God for three things. Sometimes they are big things and sometimes not. Yesterday, it was Covid vaccines, my husband, and my warm slippers.

When negative thoughts show up and I am tempted to encourage them, the Holy Spirit has shown me how to turn my thoughts outward to prayer and that has had an amazing effect on me. Every time I am tempted to think negatively about a person or situation, I stop and pray. I have chosen three people I know of who are battling cancer right now and I pray for them in those moments. It’s amazing how it defuses the negativity and redirects your mind. And who knows, maybe heals some cancer.

These are the creative ways the Holy Spirit has guided my Lent so far. How about you?

Joan