The Lenten season always reminds me of being very young and knowing that I had to give up something I absolutely loved to eat or drink for those long forty days. It also seemed the more I thought about it, the more deprived I felt and the more I found ways to sneak off with a piece of my favorite chocolate. Thankfully as I grew in both age and wisdom, I realized that Lent was really a time for introspection – an opportunity to look within and make personal commitments to change, if only for a few weeks. While we can certainly make those vows to change anytime in our lives; this particular time offers us the prospect of looking at transforming our lives in a different way and perhaps making it a lasting change.
When was the last time you took a stand against a bad habit or perhaps took a stand to confront someone who had hurt you or found a need to forgive someone you hurt? These are all difficult yet often life-changing events that can help us let go of burdens we’ve held on to for much too long. The following from the blog – “Off & Running” provides just the words we need to hear to take a stand,
“So, I ask you – Can we start from now? From this moment…forgetting the past? Forgetting all insecurities and pointing fingers…and love each other from this moment forward?”
When given the freedom to start over – to begin from scratch and to know that we can show concern and compassion to others and accept it from them as well – that is taking a stand to become a fuller, more loving human being. Perhaps that is what Lent is all about – a time to let go of whatever is keeping us from becoming the person we were meant to be – the chance to begin anew!
Watch our very latest video by Kay Gerfers – “Called to Stand: A Lenten Reflection” part of our Prayers for a Caregiver series. In her natural energetic way, Kay provides us with inspiration and a better understanding of the meaning of Lent. Let us know about the last time you were called to stand – we want to hear from you.
