A recent ice storm in Austin damaged trees all over the city. I watched through my window as large limbs covered in ice became too heavy and fell to the ground. Brush and limbs line the streets now, waiting to be hauled off and turned to mulch or compost, and I’m left with an altered view from my window. I’m noticing the moon and the sunrise through the trees in a way I hadn’t been able to before. We may have lost trees, but we have also gained the sky.
The trees losing their branches is a good metaphor for my hope this Lent. I hope that we might clear out a few branches. Not solely for the sake of clearing out — but so that we might trade one view for another.
Lenten means spring, it is an invitation not only to usher in the actual season but to a springtime for the soul. It is a time of renewal. It is forty days for us to cleanse ourselves and begin anew. Forty days to be uncomfortable and to willingly journey into the wilderness. Forty days to live by grace toward a new beginning. It is not a requirement or a commandment. Lent, if we choose to receive it, is a gift.
I hadn’t planned on writing about Lent in this space. There are many voices; you no doubt have a full inbox with subject lines similar to mine. There is so much noise during a time set aside for introspection and prayer. So instead of just my own thoughts or reflections on Lent, I have created a Self-Guided Lenten Workshop based on one I offer my church community. I hope it will be a meaningful way for you to discover Lent this season.
Self-Guided Lenten Workshop
Begin by setting aside time (ideally before February 22 - Ash Wednesday) to read over these prompts and move through them honestly. Grab a journal and pen, your notes app, or whatever you like to write in, and simply begin.
We will split our time into the three pillars of Lent — Fasting (or simplifying), Giving, and Prayer.
Simplifying
I’ve heard it said that we fast from something good to make room for something better. In other words, we have to say no to some things to say yes to others. Shauna Niequist and many others have shared the practice of making a “not-to-do list,” and that is where we’ll begin. If we want to make room for prayer, giving, or reflection, then we have first to decide what we will no longer do. What will you clear away?
It’s important not to simply look for a bad habit we’d like to change — like hitting the snooze button or cutting out fast food. We should look for areas of our life that are keeping us from God and the fullness of life available to us.
Here are some ideas for ways to simplify during lent:
Restricting hours or abstaining altogether from Social Media / TV / general technology usage.
Keeping your mornings free from news, podcasts, etc. That could look like taking a quiet walk, turning off the radio on your drive to work, or not listening to a podcast in the shower.
Traditional fasts from sugar, alcohol, caffeine, eating out, etc. (I do encourage you to examine your reasons behind fasts from food. If you’re hopeful Lent can also serve as a diet or for weight loss, please look for other ways to simplify.)
Consider saying no to social engagements on a certain night each week and instead use that time for prayer, reading or other activities that help you feel renewed.
Now, take time to prayerfully consider what you simplify this season. There are no right or wrong answers here; simply follow where God leads.
Giving
The second pillar of Lent is traditionally called “almsgiving,” which is simply giving to those in need. If you are simplifying, I encourage you to give some of the time or money saved back to those around you.
Here are a few ideas on ways to give during Lent:
Volunteer your time with friends or family at a food bank, park clean-up, or another area of need in your community.
If you decide to have your morning coffee at home, donate that $5 to an organization in need.
Traci Smith has the idea of “giving your best” instead of a box filled with cast-offs or extra cans of beans, why not set aside a box of your favorite cereal or buy 2 of the shampoo you love, one to keep and one to give away.
Now, take time to prayerfully consider what ways you might give this season. There are no right or wrong answers here; simply follow where God leads.
Prayer
For me, this is the most important piece of the pie. In the past, I saw lent as a time to “give something up,” but the reason we deny ourselves is to further commune with God. Richard Rohr says, “prayer heals our split from life itself. It heals our disconnectedness….” and that is my hope for you.
If you give up social media for 40 days, replace it with something worthwhile. Silence counts as a replacement! If you choose to cut out podcasts on your commute, yet you just use the time for phone calls, then I think you’re missing the point. As I said above, Lenten means Spring — not only for creation but for our souls.
I want you to be open-minded that prayer can look like so much more than just a list of your desires or frustrations. Prayer is connecting with God and the deeper parts of ourselves.
With that in mind, here are a few ideas of how you might engage with prayer this season:
Begin a gratitude practice. You might include those at the table with you to join in before you begin a meal; you could journal this or just keep a long list in your phone, returning to it when you forget that you’ve deleted Instagram!
Find a prayer book you’re interested in and read through it. You might choose this one, or this one, or this one!
Lent is a good time to try a new practice. Lectio Divina, Centering Prayer, walking a Labyrinth or praying the Examen are all great practices to explore.
Choose a time during the day to be silent, allowing your mind to calm down and relax. (For many, pairing this with movement like a walk or even folding laundry is helpful.)
Practice being present, notice, and observe — bird watching, grounding practices (putting your bare feet on the ground), raising butterflies from caterpillars, hiking, etc. Nature practices work well during Lent.
Communal prayer — pray with a friend or small group at a set time.
This is only a taste of how we can experience and participate in prayer. Once you clear out the branches, prayer will open up to you in new ways.
Now, take time to consider what prayer will look like for you this season. There are no right or wrong answers here; simply follow where God leads.
I hope you see this small guide as only the beginning. There is no rush on any of this; you may want to revisit your plans in a few days or a week (even if it’s past Ash Wednesday!) Or you may decide to crumple up the pages you’ve just journaled — there is no right way to do it. This might even be the year that you give up Lent for Lent. And that is okay and good. Remember, Lent is an invitation, a gift for you to receive. Springtime for the soul.
A Blessing for Lent
As you willingly enter the wilderness,
may you feel no obligation,
only an invitation
to receive the gift of Lent.
As you clear away the branches
and the earth warms outside your window,
may new life enter your soul and bloom.
A Few Things:
If you are looking to incorporate Lent into your relationship with the kids in your life, I’d highly recommend Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, and Resurrection: Simple Ways to Create Meaning for the Season - Traci has fantastic ideas for incorporating Lent into your days. You also might grab this picture book by Laura Alary: Make Room: A Child’s Guide to Lent & Easter.
A Just Passion: A Six-Week Lenten Journey - I will read this alongside my church community this season.
Anam Cara is hosting a Retreat In Daily Life during the first full week of Lent. A Retreat in Daily Life is a week-long opportunity for busy people to find spiritual rest and renewal in their daily schedule. You can find more information on the Anam Cara website here.
As a spiritual direction apprentice, I am taking on directees for free as I learn and grow in the practice. If you know anyone who might be interested, would you send them my way? You can read more about my apprenticeship training here and see my bio at the bottom of this page. This email is also a great way for people to get to know me first! If you know someone who might be interested, please forward this email to them, or they can contact me at: hollyporterphillips@gmail.com