A Lenten season

"Well and good if all things change, O Lord God, provided I am rooted in You." - St. John of the Cross

Every spring for about 6 weeks, the church engages in a time of intentional reflection on spiritual growth and purpose..it is called Lent.  It is a time in many congregation for more communal worship services, but also more solitary spiritual searching. As an introvert, I must admit that Lent and Advent have always been my two favorite seasons. Don't get me wrong, Christmas and Easter are by far my favorite festivals, but only in the years that I've taken Advent and Lenten contemplation seriously.

There is something so powerful about stripping away the busyness and making time to ponder. It can really shape who we are and how we approach life.  Just recently I've had several people refer to my illness as a "lenten" time.  The word "lent" means "spring".  At first, that image might sound odd, as we think of spring as a time of flowers and brighter sun and new life.  It is, indeed that, but at least for those of us in the northern mid-west, that doesn't really happen until May.  Early spring, March and April, are filled with days like today--dark, wet, gloomy at times, with hopes of a warmer and sunnier weekend.  Early spring is filled with uncertainty.  New shoots of flowers are sprouting, but the days and nights can still get very cold.  We live in a town where flooding occurs all too frequently, so planted crops are also in a tenuous situation. There are no guarantees in early spring.

Lent takes seriously God's presence even in those places where there are no easy optimistic answers. Lent takes seriously that Easter wasn't a forgone conclusion that first Holy Week.  St. John of the Cross' words bring the hope of a God who comes to be with us even in the darkness and uncertain times.  St. John's life is one that experienced several intense 'lenten' times, particularly after he was kidnapped and hidden away by those who hated his message. They kept him in a dark basement cell for 9 months, and beat him religiously 3 times a week.  And in that uncertain, dark, dank period of his life, St. John's faith bloomed and took deep root.

Many who seek out this blog are facing uncertain times. We do not know when or how this 'lenten' time in our lives may end.  We have gloomy, rainy days of pain, depression, nightmares, anxiety, loss and loneliness. We also have sunny, warm days even in the midst of all of this.  St. John's words remind us that these lenten times in our life are a powerful opportunity to set deep roots in the soil of God's grace.

When we can depend upon no one else, depend upon God.  When we can speak with no one else, we can speak with God.  When we do not know where to turn, turn to God.  The joy and peace of strengthening our relationship with God will sustain us. God will sustain us in these lenten times. No matter how long the season lasts.

Dear Lord, as we face Lent in the Church, many also face lenten times in their lives. A time where we can't really see or understand the growth happening to us.  Hold and sustain us precious Lord. Remind us of your closeness and your tender love in this lenten time.  Grow our faith, and strengthen our trust in you.  Amen.