Lent is a time of self reflection

Instead of giving up something during Lent I try to do something.

Here we are into a week or more of Lent. Lent is a time for soul searching and preparedness. We have been through that very special holiday when the Christ Child was born. That was a time of gladness and merry making. That is a very special time also.

We need to take the time to reflect on where we have been throughout the year past or where we are going spiritually this year. Now, during this special season we should take time to sit down or at least gather ourselves into a quiet corner and think about our own spiritual life and our commitments to church, home, family and country.

Each year during Lent I remind myself that it may not be easy to forgive others and myself, to forget as well as forgive, to be unselfish, to admit error, to be charitable. But this is the time to do it. I also try to remain cheerful and optimistic in the face of disappointments and reversals, to be loving, considerate, to wear success graciously, to use power wisely, to keep out of a rut (and that isn’t easy in February), to think before speaking and acting, to make the best of circumstances, to maintain a high standard.

I try to consider the feelings of others, their welfare, to meet ever changing conditions with faith and courage, to exercise self-control over negative thoughts and feelings. Try to be patient. It may not always be easy to do all or any of these things; it’s a tall order I’ve placed on myself.

Instead of giving up something during Lent I try to do something. Call on shut-ins that I know, telephone those who might like to talk to someone or just to say “hello.” We can also do an errand or shop for someone during these icy winter days, pass along a favorite book or movie. Today the newest opportunity for a spiritual uplift is to receive ashes by drive-thru on Ash Wednesday, to be blessed on special occasions even if you’re too busy to attend a lunch hour service. It’s the future coming for those who work or are too busy to attend a service.

We are getting into that wonderful time of year when Easter arrives and there is so much gladness and renewal of our lives.

We also enjoy the many customs that go along with the season. There are the special fish dishes that are prepared. The markets have such a wonderful selection of special foods that you find only during Lent. Seafood is also plentiful and we always seem to justify the price because it is Lent.

All homes have to have hot cross buns during this season. Warm with melted butter on them, it’s all part of this season. It gets you out of the doldrums and into a sunny, shiny place.