Addition or Subtraction?

Tomorrow’s a big day for many around the world. Ash Wednesday starts off a 40 day season of growing and reflecting on one’s relationship with God. The season that AW kicks off is called Lent, a word which means lengthening... as in the lengthening daylight hours, the greening sprouts of Spring, and the gradual movement toward the big life-returning day of Easter.

If your only experience of Lent has been one of dreary, morose sadness and deprivation, that’s a crying shame. Because there is so much more to this season than the “giving something up” notion that it’s become famous for.

Not that I want to discount the value of giving something up. Giving up a favorite food or activity for a while can be quite meaningful, if that practice draws you closer to God and other people. It’s just that some have had this practice forced down their throats and have missed out on the meaningful part. It’s particularly those injured-by-religious-obligation folks that may want to try ADDING instead of GIVING UP for Lent this year.

Ok, now, the world’s your playground… What little thing (or big thing, if you like) could you add to your life which might get you digging deeper into who you are and how you get along with God?

reading a book
journaling your thoughts or feelings
lighting a candle, praying, meditating
getting into a book of the Bible
taking a yoga class
going for a daily walk
listening in silence
reconciling with an old friend or family member
exploring faith with others
eating vegetarian or making meals for a someone in need
volunteering your time or giving money to a serving organization
changing one or more habits that would benefit the Earth

Any of those get you going? If you need any info on any of the above ideas and how you might carry them out in our neck of the woods, don’t hesitate to ask. Lent represents an opportunity... to examine your inner life and/or to take a good look outside of yourself... to check in with God and others...

If you’d like to join a worshiping community who is observing Ash Wednesday (receiving ashes to remember we're mortal, limited, needy beings; and we're held and formed in God's hands), here are some congregations that would welcome you and the times they are worshiping.

Ash Wednesday: Feb. 25
a sampling of worship times in the area
Christ the King Lutheran Church, Nashua 11:00am and 7:00pm
Church of the Good Shepherd, Nashua 7:00am, 12:00noon, and 6:45pm
Church of Our Savior, Milford 6:30am, 12:00noon, and 7:00pm
First Church of Nashua 7:30pm
Grace Lutheran Church, Nashua 6:00pm Soup Supper, 7:00pm Worship
(arrive a little before 7:00 for receiving ashes)
Main St. United Methodist, Nashua 7:30pm
Messiah Lutheran Church, Amherst 7:00pm

Peace to you,
Kari