The Lenten Season

Every year, as we approach the Lenten season, I look forward to growing my relationship with the Lord. I gather my devotionals, plan what to give up as my sacrifices, and decide what to add to my day to make this season more fruitful.

My expectations are that everything will go according to plan, and by the time Easter arrives, I will be able to look back and see how faithful I was. But every single year, I fall short. At some point at the end of the day, I realize I forgot to pray, only made it halfway through my devotional and suddenly didn’t have time for it, or ate meat on Friday because I forgot and then feel like I am failing the Lord.

But I think the beauty of Lent is that as we prepare our hearts for Jesus, even when our plans fall short, we still have the DESIRE to grow closer to him. Jesus came FOR US. He came while we were still sinners and separated from God, and he died FOR US.

He knows that every day, we will fall short of the glory of God, and he still loves us in our weakness and our brokenness. He loves us no matter what we have done or what we will do because he is such a good father.

So this year, in this beautiful Lenten season, I hope and pray that my focus is less on me and more on Jesus. That it is not about the sacrifices I am making or what I am withholding from, but more about connecting with the Lord more deeply and intimately. I pray that He is the focus of my day, that all of my decisions and desires include Him, that I can see His presence everywhere I look, and I can be present in the most beautiful life he has given me.

Will I fast, and pray, and give alms? Absolutely.

But more than anything, I am choosing to give Jesus my attention, my gratitude, and my heart.