Keeping a Holy Lent - 21

Image source: ForestWander

It's that time of year when the New England weather plays tricks on us and teases us into thinking that the seasons are changing. After months of cold and snow and gray, the lengthening days, rising temperatures (high 40's!) and a few jonquils poking their heads out of the ground convince us that spring is finally here again.

And a day or two later...

The skies darken, the temperature drops and winter comes back for an encore.

It strikes me that my spiritual life is sometimes just like this. Signs of change and increased fervor convince me that I've left the winter of spiritual carelessness behind and that a springtime of renewal has finally arrived.

And a day or two later...

The prayer corner goes unvisited; "giving up" becomes "giving in;" attention to the Lord's presence goes unpaid; and the winter of indifference dampens the warmth of Lent's early fire...

There's nothing I can do to hasten or retard the natural seasons in their changing but there's much I can do to quicken the springtime of grace that Lent offers my mind and heart.

Different choices and better decisions can help me plan my day and night with an attentiveness to the Lord's presence and his desire to be with me and to nurture the renewal and refreshment this holy season affords...

The longer days and peaceful nights of prayer's springtime can arrive and stay in my heart even if a late snow coats the windows of the house I live in...

Lent is springtime for the soul... Come, Lord, and change the season of my heart...


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