Skip Ahead to Sunday

As I mentioned last week, I went home this summer to conduct an estate sale. I was dreading it. I don't do yard sales in the first place, preferring to avoid the hassle by just giving away things we no longer need. I was anxious about setting prices, wondering if things would sell, and unsure if I was emotionally capable of letting go of anything more.
In my head, I kept saying, "I just have to get to Sunday. By this time next week, this will all be done. I just have to get to Sunday." I had already made plans for some fun things we could do Sunday when the work was essentially finished.

Sunday. 
It was like a mantra.
Sunday.

Storms came through Thursday night before the sale. As tired as I was, there was no drifting off with the bright flashes of lightening and deep rumbles of thunder.

I started thinking about Sunday again. How nice it would be to have the experience - and the anxiety - behind me. Wouldn't it be great if I could just skip ahead to Sunday? Jump through time to the other side. Avoid the potential pain and just have the satisfaction of completion.

Immediately I was reminded of another Sunday. Easter Sunday. I'd be happy to skip through the pain of Good Friday and the empty silence of Saturday and get to the good stuff. Resurrection. Redemption. Joy instead of sorrow.
But deep down I know that Easter Sunday only has those good things because we have endured Friday and Saturday. 
So, while I still clung to the idea of Sunday, to the knowledge that this trial was temporary, I gave up the wish of skipping ahead. I said a prayer, grabbed a tissue, took a deep breath, and plunged in.


And Sunday came.
I survived.

Lessons of Lent

During Lent this year, I noticed two things.

1) I am terrible with silence. I was supposed to set aside 15 minutes a day to spend in silence with God. I was surprised at how hard it was. I lost what little rhythm I had with the process over Spring Break and never went back. I remembered that I was supposed to be setting the time aside, but I gave it up as too hard. I may have to try to work it into my post-Easter life just to prove to myself that I can. I am a perfectionist which means I either get ridiculously driven to do something, or I quit on it because I can't do it right. I don't like to be a quitter.

2) I am also terrible at telling myself, "no." I felt immense freedom Sunday morning when I woke up. Lent was over. I could once again buy books whenever I want. Telling myself "no" for seven weeks was good discipline, but also felt oppressive. Even though there was no book I wanted to buy Sunday, I felt elated relief because I could. The relief seemed out of proportion to the denial. It would have made more sense if there was something I wanted that I could finally have, but there wasn't. It was just the principle that I could make my own choices and do whatever I wanted.

Freedom is good.

But another phrase keeps coming to mind: Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial.

Freedom feels better than denial. But freedom comes with great responsibility. I am hopeful that the lessons of Lent will linger beyond Easter morning this year.

Best Holiday Ever

My favorite holiday of the year is just around the corner - Easter.

I love it. I love that it is all about spring - new beginnings, tulips, sunshine, warmer weather.


I love the treats - Reese's Eggs. Need I say more?

I love the traditions - egg hunts, new clothes, singing Christ the Lord is Risen Today. 


I love the images - the disciples gathered, a thief forgiven, feet washed and bread broken.

I love the spiritual message of resurrection - death defeated, second chances, grace and forgiveness.

Christmas is great, sure. Jesus, coming as a baby. Joy to the World. Sharing gifts. I enjoy it, but for me it pales in comparison to Easter. Sure, if not for Christmas, there would be no Easter, but, Jesus' arrival, while miraculous, doesn't have the same punch as his departure. 

So, what Spring holiday is your favorite? Why?

Lent

Lent is the season - 40ish days - leading up to Easter. Easter is my favorite holiday of the year, and Lent is all about preparing for that celebration.

I have been thinking about Lent lately - about the whole idea of "giving something up" for the season of Lent. I didn't grow up in the church, and when I started going, it wasn't to a church with a tradition of Lenten celebrations like that. So I am still making my way through what I think about that, and why to do it. 

How do you celebrate Lent?