I don’t have the best track record when it comes to staying in touch with the people in my life.  It is not for lack of caring and interest-I’ve never been able to figure out why that is about me although it bothers me and I try my best to be otherwise.  More often than not, as much as I try to get past this quirkiness I somehow always fall short.  It is one of those classic, “It’s me, not you” experiences.

If it is any consolation to those who are always waiting to hear from me I do the same thing with God.  We have our moments each day when we touch base but it also always seems that I am apologizing for not staying in better touch.  Makes we wonder sometimes if God herself wonders who I am when I say, “Here I am, Lord, it’s Angela”.  I did that a few weeks ago when I stopped in church for a few minutes and poured my heart out about something and I think I saw that statue of Jesus shake His head to jog his memory!

Maybe that is why I welcome the season of Lend in my life-it always seems to come around just when I need it most.  It’s that time of renewal for me when God and I ‘catch up’ and reminisce about our times together and look towards the future as best we can one day at a time.   But I also struggle with these 40 days that start out so ambitiously and energetically then start to drag part way in.  I did have a Lenten season  years ago that I still remember as being a time of such richness of healing and peace and connected-ness.  I am looking and hoping for that again because I don’t take for granted anymore that I have a huge lifetime of Lents in front of me ( thought another 30-40 would be nice).

I am going to keep it simple this year- simple is always best anyway- in the hope of being  delivered to the Easter Vigil as faithfully and honestly as I began.  My 3-fold plan is this:  1. Work with the Cynthia Bourgeault book on Centering Prayer, 2. Read ( and share) more deeply the poetry of Mary Oliver, 3. Carry with me everywhere my faithful camera which is my visual journal.

The journey begins, will you join me and be bread for each other?

“O Lord of melons, of mercy, though I am not ready, nor worthy, I am climbing toward You”

~Mary Oliver~