Lenten Writing Project Reboot 2020! Writers' Reflections in the Wilderness of Lent
Words of Faith
Spirit to Spirit Writing Project
The word Lentcomes from an old English word meaning lengthening of days. In Christianity, it refers to the time before Easter, traditionally observed through repentance and learning. It's a season to be intentional about changing and growing. Some people give up items to create space and time for new life and habits to grow. Instead of giving something up, I invite you to try to commit to answering these writing prompts each of the 40 days of Lent. The discipline it takes to set aside time each day to reflect and write about God and your relationship with spirituality is a journey that you will emerge from with a renewed spirit. Every writer has their own special voice to add to this project, whether poetry, prose, essay, thoughts, lists, or through comments, prayer, and encouragement.
How do I participate? Each day, a writing prompt will be posted. A prompt is a question or statement that is meant to inspire your thoughts in whatever genre you feel moved to write. Post your reflections as a comment under each day's prompt (for further instructions, see 'How To Post' on the right side of the page). It is up to you if you write, read, or pray along with us each of the 40 days of Lent or just drop in from time to time when the spirit moves you to participate. Writing regularly is a discipline that many writers struggle with and this is a way to involve that discipline as a Lenten practice. Through writing and leaving encouraging words for others in this project, we become a supportive spiritual writing community
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
And On the 6th Day, God Chuckled
Lenten Writing Prompt #21
Does God have a sense of humor? How do you personally know? Or is there a story from the Bible that supports this?
The temple was adorned with beautiful wood and gold and curtains and lots of space - symbols of power and majesty. God knows how to do it up how to show it off how to put the cherry on top.
Then John the Baptist comes along living down by the river wearing scratchy, itchy camels hair and eating bugs. Either someone “missed the memo” or for John every day was “casual Friday” or God has a terrific sense of humor!
From deep in the darkness of nothingness when thoughts swam aimlessly, chaotic, with no connection of form, the Spirit moved in a glowing mass of light. And it laughed, and bazillions of atoms joined into illusional compacted spinning spheres that danced in patterns that became a universe. It was evident that all was good and funny. Wind and rain, solid rock and fires of the earth’s core broke surfaces into soil and spread seeds of speculation throughout the world. And wondrous comedies arose. The Love out of which all came had communion with people, animals and plants. And God delighted in all of the play of life.
God said, “Let humor always be available, for the sake of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.” And it has been so.
Sometimes I do not see the humor in my settings and circumstances, And I ask, “Really, God, are you kidding? I am certainly not amused.” Answers come as I relate my dilemmas, consternation and mishaps to friends who respond with laughter and similar stories of their own, causing us to bond in our common human experience. Washed with understanding, I emerge with my humor and outlook restored.
Yes, He most certainly does! And I say that with certainty.
Why?
Because he brought introverted, analytical, serious-about-everything me together with my extroverted, impulsive, there's-a-light-side-to-everything husband. Because we are made in His image. Because He's instilled the same wacky, off-the-wall sense of humor in my child. Because He is my creator and provider who knows that I take myself, that I take life too seriously. Because He has gifted me with at least two amazing people who bring balance and joy and light.
Because so many people are just perfectly funny. Jim Gaffigan's spot-on observations about American life. W. Kamau Bell's reflections on the ridiculous, yet painful, affects of racism. Tina Fey's, well, everything.
Yes, God has a sense of humor. He sees our pain and mourns with us. He also joins us in our joy.
Camel’s Hair and Locusts
ReplyDeleteThe temple was adorned with beautiful wood
and gold
and curtains
and lots of space -
symbols of power
and majesty.
God knows how to do it up
how to show it off
how to put the cherry on top.
Then John the Baptist
comes along
living down by the river
wearing scratchy, itchy
camels hair
and eating bugs.
Either someone “missed the memo”
or for John every day was “casual Friday”
or God has a terrific sense of humor!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLAUGHING MATTERS
ReplyDeleteFrom deep in the darkness of nothingness when thoughts swam aimlessly,
chaotic, with no connection of form,
the Spirit moved in a glowing mass of light.
And it laughed, and bazillions of atoms joined
into illusional compacted spinning spheres
that danced in patterns that became a universe.
It was evident that all was good and funny.
Wind and rain, solid rock and fires of the earth’s core broke surfaces
into soil and spread seeds of speculation throughout the world.
And wondrous comedies arose.
The Love out of which all came had communion with people, animals and plants.
And God delighted in all of the play of life.
God said, “Let humor always be available, for the sake of physical, mental,
and emotional well-being.” And it has been so.
Sometimes I do not see the humor in my settings and circumstances,
And I ask, “Really, God, are you kidding? I am certainly not amused.”
Answers come as I relate my dilemmas, consternation and mishaps
to friends who respond with laughter and similar stories of their own,
causing us to bond in our common human experience.
Washed with understanding, I emerge with my humor and outlook restored.
I like that "seeds of speculation." And all the wildness of your creation images.
ReplyDeleteDo I think God has a sense of humor?
ReplyDeleteYes, He most certainly does! And I say that with certainty.
Why?
Because he brought introverted, analytical, serious-about-everything me together with my extroverted, impulsive, there's-a-light-side-to-everything husband. Because we are made in His image. Because He's instilled the same wacky, off-the-wall sense of humor in my child. Because He is my creator and provider who knows that I take myself, that I take life too seriously. Because He has gifted me with at least two amazing people who bring balance and joy and light.
Because so many people are just perfectly funny. Jim Gaffigan's spot-on observations about American life. W. Kamau Bell's reflections on the ridiculous, yet painful, affects of racism. Tina Fey's, well, everything.
Yes, God has a sense of humor. He sees our pain and mourns with us. He also joins us in our joy.