Lent and Advent are two of my favorite times in the Christian calendar because they offer opportunity for disruption. Disruption from patterns that distract us from loving God, loving our neighbors as ourselves and loving our very own self.
I love how these times provide an invitation into acting, thinking and being different than we are other times in the year. It’s the type of disruption, and type of invitation, that I welcome greatly. During Advent, I embarked on a mostly-successful journey of doing something creative each day of the Advent Season. It was a last-minute plan, filled with great intentions but not a lot of strategy – normally I would take more time to strategically lay out a plan with action steps and deadlines. But, I followed it and, even with the shortcomings of my goal, I encountered God’s love in new ways.
After reflecting upon that experience, I started to think about what I could do during Lent to experience God in a new way again. My Advent plan was broad and provided so many choices that it was difficult to choose just one thing. I decided that I would do something more specific during Lent. But what?
Writing letters! I’ve decided that my Lenten practice this year will be writing letters to people in my life. To set myself up for success – I gathered my favorite writing pens, stationary and restocked my postage stamp collection. And tonight, before I go to sleep, I’ll write my first letter!
Over the past year, it’s become increasingly evident that God works in and through relationships. In November, at a wonderfully crowded conference, I realized that I haven’t invested in many of valuable and life-giving relationships lately. I realized that I’m missing out on interpersonal growth as well as spiritual growth. My prayer is that these letters will help me close the interpersonal gaps in my life with friends, family members and members of my church and work communities. I hope these letters will start conversations and revive relationships that I’ve left dusty on the proverbial shelf.
I look forward to reconnecting with friends and experiencing God in new ways this Lenten season!
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