Ash Wednesday is upon us, my friends. A day that has mostly had the meaning of a rich and buttery baked potato topped with melted cheese and slathered with sour cream. The Catholic church down the street did their duty in teaching me that these Ash Wednesdays are the beginning of a season that is plentiful with flaky fish and buttery potatoes. I didn't grow up Catholic, but man, they had something good going on there. That's the most lent has ever meant to me: butter. This season however, it's a little different.
I've never participated in the Lenten season before. I've never wanted to, never felt convicted to, and never quite fully understood the reason for it. Now, I'm sure I have much more to learn than what I have attempted to so far, but this year I want to take part in this fast. This fasting of the the season isn't being done to find my worth in what I can abstain from and remove from my life (as I have always thought it to be). Rather, it is a simplifying of my life of sorts. It's abstaining from something that has the power to consume my time, my mind, my money, and so on. Instead I decide to use that time for things to make me more whole. My goal in life is to be a very well-rounded person.
I have been reading through a book of spiritual disciplines because I've been wanting to learn more on fasting. I was so happy to find in the table of contents all sorts of spiritual disciplines far beyond just prayer, fasting, and worship. What I found in this book were practices like, self-care, celebration, gratitude, community, hospitality, compassion, and care of the Earth. THOSE, my friend, are the kinds of spiritual practices I want to use IN this season of lent. I want to be present to the world around me, and to the God of the world around me.
So the question was, how can I do that? What is my anticipated soul looking for? What consumes my time after work. What should my soul stop feeding on so that my spiritual belly has more room for better things?
The answer for me may seem trite and unimpressive, but I'm not here to impress anyone. Actually, this entire blog post was intended to be a short sentence or two (which I am entirely incapable of) but here we are. Thanks for staying with me. My answer is not sugar, chocolate, or meat (although it could be... maybe should be at some point). My answer is very unfortunately Facebook. The voyeurism of the social media, the lack of privacy in the social media, and the sleeplessness of the social media is so disenchanting, and so non-edifying.
This is not to convict anyone who uses Facebook. I think there are great things about it for those who don't find themselves (ehhem, me) longing for things, coveting things, and being downright annoyed by people and things whom they (me) don't have any right to be annoyed by. Annoyed, judgmental, whatever. I was trying to use language less strong, but let's just call it what it is.
All this to say: I am signing off until the celebration of the risen Christ. Yep. Easter. If you find me to be self righteous in my attempt to explain my Lent fast, please re-read my list of reasons why. Or I will repeat: Longing, coveting, judgement, and may I add time consuming. For as little of time I DO spend on Facebook, and as much as I outwardly express judgment over Facebook, I sure do let it get into my mind and under my skin far too much. I confess. And my the Lord have mercy on my Facebooked soul. Repent, repent.
Here's to hopes of returning as well rested, gracious, and compassionate soul who spends her time caring for the Earth and the hospitality of others.
What the original intent of this message was: To let Facebook know that I am signing off. If you want to be in touch- Please e mail or call me. Perhaps next Lenten season I should fast from excessive words...
