Hi friends,
Welcome to the gift of sacred rest,
Seasons.
Today we'll reflect on the transition from winter rest to Lenten readiness.
Lent is not meant to be entered exhausted.
Winter prepares us by restoring what has been worn thin,
By nurturing the weary places,
And by teaching us what our souls truly need.
As Lent approaches,
Resist the urge to strive.
Let rest be your teacher.
Let stillness shape your surrender.
So as we ease into the Lenten season,
May you enter the next season rooted,
Restored,
And ready.
Now let's settle into a moment of stillness.
Psalm 5110 reminds us that we are to be repentant during the Lenten season,
And that we can prepare our hearts in advance.
Create in me a clean heart,
O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Psalm 5110 is simple.
We allow ourselves to surrender.
We allow ourselves to be examined.
We allow self-examination.
Then we ask,
Lord,
Create in me a clean heart,
O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
So as we settle into this beautiful,
Calming,
Repentant,
And simple scripture,
Place both feet on the floor and breathe deeply.
Breathe deeply and simply whisper,
Create in me a clean heart,
O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart,
O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart,
O God,
And renew a right spirit within me.
Now notice what feels softened or restored through winter.
Over the past several weeks,
You've had opportunity to embrace the beauty of sacred winter rest.
And now we begin transitioning into a rest of surrender and repentance.
Just notice what it feels like.
Notice what feels softened and restored.
Notice the rest that winter has brought.
Now offer your heart to God without effort or striving.
Simply from a place of surrender,
Sit quietly for one final moment.
In all you do,
Do it in love and be well.
Amen.
