Today is the first day of Lent. I’ve never been part of a church that stuck to a strict liturgical calendar and I’ve never fasted from anything for the 40 days of Lent. But, I can appreciate the benefit of some of the reminders like Ash Wednesday and I certainly want to prepare my heart for the greatest earthly celebration of all celebrations – Resurrection Sunday. I’ll be using the next 40 days as time for additional pause and reflection. As God, in His sovereignty, would have it, Lent comes at a perfect time for me in life. I am in a season of longing and brokenness so this steady march toward the cross and the prayerful reflection on the beauty of Christ’s profound work is exactly what I need right now.

Each year, I try different approaches to this time. Last year, I was exhausted, distracted, and barely prepared for the Easter season at all. So, there’s no surefire, magical potion or legalistic regulation about how you have to use this time. In fact, there is no Biblical mandate at all about how you observe the next 40 days. The point is His grace toward us in Christ – not any ritual or sacrifice that WE can make for Him. As if He needs anything from us. He did the work already – ours is simply to respond to Him.

But, if your response to Him means you’d like to do something during this time, you can join me in doing the She Reads Truth Lenten Study, You Are Mine – it’s a study through the book of Isaiah. You can do it online for free or download the app for a few dollars. I ordered the book this time because I really am a pen and paper sort of gal. Plus, the design is pretty and that wins some bonus points in my heart. {wink}

This morning’s reading is still rattling around in my heart as I consider the heavy cost that accompanies sin and rebellion. And, yet… white as snow. He washes us. White as the new fallen snow. Breathtaking. I am in awe.

p.s. – if you go to my church and are already studying the book of Mark with 200 other amazing women on Monday nights, please finish strong there. (It is, after all, a book about Jesus and His work on the Cross!) You can do what I am doing and do two studies for a few weeks; or you can wait and start preparing your heart for Easter after that study is over in a couple more weeks. Remember, there’s nothing magical about it being 40 days. Do what will help you walk more intimately with your Savior and Lord. Isn’t freedom great?