Lent

It begins in winter with the trees and grass still bare.

There is a time and season for everything.

A time to grow in virtue which makes things oh so uncomfortable.

The challenge our Church presents us with is beautiful. Sharpen that sword which is your will and restrain those things of the earth to focus more on your Lord. Holy Mother Church knows the fruit to be borne in this season and beckons all of her faithful to enter in.

It is the time of pruning, pulling and nourishing the soil from whence our fasting, prayer and almsgiving shall bud forth fruit of eternal life.

This is a time when we exercise that beautifully gifted dominion given us by our Creator over our carnal appetites.

We arrive at a place where we able to simply sit and feel all of the desires and urges we have for the world: phones, food, approval, etc.

In those moments of battle, I choose to tell myself the following:

“Remember your death.”

“My soul is stronger because of this.”

“In light of Heaven, this world has nothing for me.”

My dear sister in Christ, I encourage you not to white-knuckle your way through Lent. I invite you to embrace the difficult as you would the good. This particular season is one that encourages your growth and transformation into the woman God is calling you to be.

For we know all of this isn’t for naught, it is for His Glory and the promise that He has a place prepared for us in the Heavenly Jerusalem.