Dropping You a Line

We are barely two weeks into Lent and for many faithful people this means thoughtful, intentional sacrifice as a way to focus on their relationship with God. I didn’t grow up in a tradition that has rituals around Lent, but along the way I did make attempts at a denial practice, a “Lent diet” if you will – giving up chocolate or fast food or alcohol. In the end though, I decided that I needed a different, more proactive way to observe the season.

My plan is to adopt a habit rather than deny myself one, like reading more or trading in political news for listening to more music. This year I’m following through with something I’ve been thinking about for a while. Each morning, I sit down at my kitchen island with a cup of coffee and a cigar box stocked with notecards, stamps, and a pen, and write a note. I started writing a note a day on my birthday, just a month and a half into the new year, conveniently synched up with the beginning of Lent. 50 weeks from now, I should have a list of at least 365 notes sent, tracking a year of gratitude for the many people who have touched my life.

Easter is still 5 weeks away. It’s not too late to choose a ritual to help you make room in your home, your mind, your heart for contemplation and prayer. Maybe it’s a simple gratitude ritual like mine, notes to friends and acquaintances to brighten their day and remind you of the gift these people are to you. Maybe it’s not a daily habit at all, but a bigger project that will honor the blessing of your home by blessing someone else – purge your closet or your pantry and donate items to a local organization that will pass the items along to people in need. You could make a meal once a week and deliver it to a neighbor or a friend who could really use the break from cooking. A practice that offers care to someone else and helps you connect with your own spirit of love and gratitude feels like a beautiful way to observe this holy season.

Dear One,

Thank you for a time to reflect on the blessings in our lives. Help us to open ourselves to the ways we can be a blessing to others.

Amen

Eli is a founding member of Peace and a part of the staff. She’s so grateful for the connections with the wise and thoughtful folks at Peace Church, guess they better keep an eye on the mailbox.)