Perhaps you know (maybe you don’t), today is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent.  40 days (not counting Sundays–also known as Little Easters–thanks, A!), before Easter.   A time to reflect, repent, fast, be charitable and grow in our relationship with Christ.  My very good friend, (whom I am trying to get going on a blog of her own, she’s an amazing Apologetics teacher–really You Tube would be awesome because she is ANIMATED and PASSIONATE, a Catholic Beth Moore) said to me yesterday, tomorrow we enter the desert.  Ouch.  I just never thought of Lent that way for some reason.  What a spin it put on Lent for me.  And to know that in putting Christ first these 40 days, I also add the bullseye for all that is NOT Christ to tempt and challenge me, which always a little disconcerting.  And then I remember from yesterday’s Readings this little encouragement from……

James 4: 7-10

So submit yourselves to God.
Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands, you sinners,
and purify your hearts, you of two minds.
Begin to lament, to mourn, to weep.
Let your laughter be turned into mourning
and your joy into dejection.
Humble yourselves before the Lord
and he will exalt you.

I fully expect as I detox from my Facebook fast these next 40 days that He has something amazing waiting for me as I am able to slow down and engage and truly listen for Him.

May you wait in joyful anticipation these days for the coming of the Risen Lord and be blessed as you grow closer to Him.