Thoughts on Lent...

Here we are in the season of Lent already...as much as I find myself just now catching up to this time of repentance and confession, it is good to be here. It seems that many things can be obstacles to taking time to truly reflect and confess. One thing that has been a help to me is the study our church is going through during Lent. It is called '40 Days of Community' and is focused on growing community in our church and outside of our church. Our home group meets every week to discuss how we can grow and reach out together and it's been great to learn and practice these things together.

I have realized that what can often keep me from growing in community is when I am not really available...either I'm too busy or don't leave enough time to just respond to 'interruptions' in my day. It is often those things that I may call interruptions which are the very things I should be about. So during this season of Lent I am asking God to help me truly be available - to Him and to those around me.

I was reminded today of this prayer for Lent, which is a humbling prayer of confession and forgiveness:

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: create and make in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowleding our wretchedness, may receive from you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

May we seek God's amazing love and mercy in these days of Lent, as we reflect and confess our sins before him.