Learning that made me feel “lighter” about the 40 days. Didn’t mean that as a pun. Ha! Also, when I did the math and looked more closely at the Church calendar (I grew up in churches that didn’t have much traditional liturgy) I realized that Sundays aren’t included in the 40 days and that they are considered days of celebration in anticipation of Easter. Love the grace and joy in that. In the current tensions with so much bad news, it’s a good reminder to me that we need intentional space for joy just like those Lenten Sundays.
Even just acknowledging it can relieve some tension! It meant a lot to me this weekend when both our worship leader and our pastor acknowledged the political chaos and conflicts bringing up anxiety for so many of us. Our congregation has a blend of perspectives but it helped so much for someone to say that things are different these days. Yet I also find myself needing to balance the bad news with good news to keep me sane. I know I have to go looking for that good news because it’s often overshadowed. P.S. Pretty sure The Yes Effect is on deep discount by now but it’s been a continual manual of hope for me!
You're right, acknowledgement does a lot! I haven't been in a faith community for awhile that does for stuff like this and it makes me sad. I guess I get to be the acknowledger for others for now! And I look forward to reading it :)
Beautiful and thoughtful! So many synchronicities and shared feelings. I loved learning that Lent means "lengthening", I hadn't heard that before.
Learning that made me feel “lighter” about the 40 days. Didn’t mean that as a pun. Ha! Also, when I did the math and looked more closely at the Church calendar (I grew up in churches that didn’t have much traditional liturgy) I realized that Sundays aren’t included in the 40 days and that they are considered days of celebration in anticipation of Easter. Love the grace and joy in that. In the current tensions with so much bad news, it’s a good reminder to me that we need intentional space for joy just like those Lenten Sundays.
I appreciate the acknowledgement of the injustice happening and the glimmer of light through it. Curious now about your book, too!
Even just acknowledging it can relieve some tension! It meant a lot to me this weekend when both our worship leader and our pastor acknowledged the political chaos and conflicts bringing up anxiety for so many of us. Our congregation has a blend of perspectives but it helped so much for someone to say that things are different these days. Yet I also find myself needing to balance the bad news with good news to keep me sane. I know I have to go looking for that good news because it’s often overshadowed. P.S. Pretty sure The Yes Effect is on deep discount by now but it’s been a continual manual of hope for me!
You're right, acknowledgement does a lot! I haven't been in a faith community for awhile that does for stuff like this and it makes me sad. I guess I get to be the acknowledger for others for now! And I look forward to reading it :)