Lenten practice

Our life in the last several weeks has been dominated by our search for, offer on, inspections of, and closing on our new home, a townhouse in San Diego near the intersection of I-8 and I-15. Being new to the house hunt, I had no idea it would take as much time and emotional energy as it did. And with the signing of the closing documents, suddenly the next steps are looming large: make the necessary repairs, book the movers, pack and get ready to transition again. Having done all of this just over a year ago as we prepared to move across the country, I'm feeling some amount of PTSD -- even though this new home is only a 10 minute drive from where we currently live. 

So as I reflected on my own Lenten intentions this week, I realized two things: I'd like to end my day in a way that feels as spiritually nourishing as my morning prayer; and this is not the year to embrace asceticism. I'm not going to deny myself chocolate, Girl Scout cookies, or a glass of champagne once we move into the house. But I am going to relinquish the word games on my phone, replacing them instead with some good reading and a little prayer as I close out my day. I know this will keep me grounded and fed in a time when I might be stretched and drained -- and I'll be ready to embrace Easter joy in our new home. I hope you also can set some good intentions for this season, and 'prepare with joy for the Paschal feast'!