Two weeks from today will be the Easter Vigil. Our time of preparation will end with joy and, if you're anything like me, probably some relief over indulging in whatever you sacrificed.
You might be having a great Lent: You've been staying on top of your prayer life, toughing it out when those cravings come and are quick to support others in need.
Or maybe you read the first line of this post and let slip some variant of "Oh, @#$%."
To the first crowd, we salute you. Charge on, awesome soldiers of self-discipline!
For the rest of you, take heart: We're not done yet. :)
The way I see it, Lent is a seven-week crash course in the rhythm of the Christian walk — a microcosm of our lifelong relationship with God. Sometimes it's ecstatic, but there are also seasons where it'd be too easy to throw in the towel. Most of the time, it's somewhere in between.
A wise friend once told me that life is merciful to us because we keep on living in good times and in bad. There's so much truth to this, and it's been a wonderful consolation to me in those seasons where things just aren't going right.
If your Lent has been a belly flop, there are still two weeks to make the most of it. Take a deep breath, reconsider your plans if you need to, and then jump in again with both feet. A rocky start can become something extraordinary, especially with Holy Week right around the corner.
And that's true of every trial we might experience. Whether it's a work issue, weight problems or even a broken relationship, it's never too late to start again. Nothing changes overnight, and in some cases things will never be the same. But through God's grace, we can move forward with hope.
Every day is brand new. Pray for the courage to live it fully.
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