Lent lingers on...

The time has changed. The pollen is here. The spring schedule frenzy has begun. The pull of the sunshine and the warmer weather is beginning to take our focus off some of the darkness of winter. But Lent lingers on.


I love Spring. Everything but the pollen. I love the longer days. I love the color and the renewing feeling of life springing back. But it also makes me forget that I am still in a season of surrender. How quickly our emotions and our physical well being can take our focus away from God. We tend to forget our need when our comfort level goes up. When our darkness begins to be glimmered with light. When our schedules began to push out any chance of down time or alone time.


As I continue to be in a time of preparation spiritually, I find myself buried in a time of preparation physically. So much to be done. So much screaming for my attention. So much noise drowning out that still small voice.


I tried writing this post 3 different times this morning. I stopped to take care of the dog and eat breakfast. I tried again. I stopped to do some laundry and make up the bed. I tried again. I stopped to get in the shower so that I could tackle the mile long do to list of the day. And there I heard it. That still small voice loud and clear. You told Me that you were going to surrender it all to Me during this time of Lent. You asked Me to teach you to hear more clearly and to act more quickly. 


I am a master at ignoring the nudge. Justifying the conviction. Going in another direction. Finding something more important that has to be done. But during this time of preparation, in spite of myself, I feel my heart and my mind being drawn closer to His. He is teaching me that sometimes the words that I write or the hug that I give or the smile that I offer is enough to make a difference. No matter what anyone says or does not say. No matter how I feel. No matter what else I have to do. Surrender is being aware of the nudge.


So as I stop once again to listen and to write and to reflect, my heart is at Peace. I don't know who needs to be reminded today or if it is just me, but Lent lingers on. I want to intentionally stay in my place of surrender and preparation to receive fully what He has to offer.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, 

and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 

Do not cast me from Your presence 

or take Your Holy Spirit from me. 

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation 

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 

Psalm 51:10-12