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, April 1, 2015
Psalms
Pick a Psalm from the Bible – either at random, or pick one that is meaningful to you and analyze it or write your thoughts.
O, Lord who knows the real me, underneath all the, pretentions, facades and defenses; as I am in the morning, sans makeup, with disheveled hair that I would not be caught alive with outside the house; and grumpy thoughts that cause my well-ingrained politeness to question my identity. But you are well aware of boiling, unvoiced frustrations ready to blow my intentional patience out of proportion, popping the cork off and causing a mess of hurt feelings Before I let go, you surround me with your calming love, singing through the birds outside my window, flooding my eyes and heart with shades and textures of sky that shock my morning mood into awe. Such a turnaround dance, from dourness to gratefulness is too complex for me, before caffeine and food, to achieve. I am stunned by your attention that guides me into awareness and want to open to it more readily. Your spirit is always with me wherever I go, in whatever situation I find myself, In mornings as I drive, giving rides, I see new cloud arrangements and colors As the sun arises and shines it’s glory and even when it glows and moves behind the curtain of gray skies, I moved by the the light which Has shone through times when gloom tried to cover my hope in You. Through the dark into mornings replete with birds singing, flashers drumming Laughter in the air and communication with friends, you show me What blessings are around me. I am grateful for this body which, although it has some wear, functions adequately, And for all you make available for my mind to absorb and make use of Like the vast amount of grains of sand across this planet are the Morsels of food for my brain and my heart. I will never ingest them all in my lifetime, but know you know what I need now And what will be for later when I and your spirit within me moves on To tables where we will dine together in the end. From before my birth, through life, and into my death, you are always with me.
Psalm 139
ReplyDeleteO, Lord who knows the real me, underneath all the, pretentions, facades and defenses; as I am in the morning, sans makeup, with disheveled hair that I would not be caught alive with outside the house; and grumpy thoughts that cause my well-ingrained politeness to question my identity.
But you are well aware of boiling, unvoiced frustrations ready to blow my intentional patience out of proportion, popping the cork off and causing a mess of hurt feelings
Before I let go, you surround me with your calming love, singing through the birds outside my window, flooding my eyes and heart with shades and textures of sky
that shock my morning mood into awe.
Such a turnaround dance, from dourness to gratefulness is too complex for me, before caffeine and food, to achieve.
I am stunned by your attention that guides me into awareness and want to open to it more readily.
Your spirit is always with me wherever I go, in whatever situation I find myself,
In mornings as I drive, giving rides, I see new cloud arrangements and colors
As the sun arises and shines it’s glory and even when it glows and moves
behind the curtain of gray skies, I moved by the the light which
Has shone through times when gloom tried to cover my hope in You.
Through the dark into mornings replete with birds singing, flashers drumming
Laughter in the air and communication with friends, you show me
What blessings are around me.
I am grateful for this body which, although it has some wear, functions adequately,
And for all you make available for my mind to absorb and make use of
Like the vast amount of grains of sand across this planet are the
Morsels of food for my brain and my heart.
I will never ingest them all in my lifetime, but know you know what I need now
And what will be for later when I and your spirit within me moves on
To tables where we will dine together in the end.
From before my birth, through life, and into my death, you are always with me.
Up to verse 19.