Lent-Part 1

Ordinarily I would not share ANY aspect of my Lenten journey, but when I was discussing with a good friend some ideas I had for making this Lent especially meaningful, she advised me to share because others might be able to relate.

So here I am sharing something...this Lent the hubby and I are working on some aspects of our Lenten journey as a couple.  One idea we had was to make each week a theme.  This coming week our theme is 'silence'.  The idea of this week will be to turn off as much "outside noise" as possible and turn on as much "inside noise" as possible.

You may be wondering what I mean by that.  "Outside noise" would be things like unnecessary use of the internet like Facebook, constant checking of emails, Google +, internet surfing, TV and movie watching and even listening to music and the radio.  ALL music.  Even Christian music!

Why?  Because we want to be as silent as possible and focus on "inside noise" which is the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us and prodding us, that "still small voice".  So instead we will focus more on listening to the voice of Christ and looking silently for Him in those we meet.  Adoration will be a goal especially this week (easier said than done with 3 kids 3 and under, but we're going for it).  Reading more scripture and allowing the Word to dwell more fully in us will be a goal.  Experience even more of nature (we already LOVE to do this),  and focus more on the splendor of God's creations, including each other.

It is our hope that through seeking and contemplating the beauty of God's creations and looking and listening for his voice, we will experience Him a little more fully.  These verses from 1 Kings 19:11-12 capture the essence of what we are hoping to experience this week.

"Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a still small voice."

This week as we wait for the Lord and look for his splendor, we will be grateful for his many creations, but we will be listening for the gentle whisper.  The still small voice of the Lord.

Slowing down and being silent are important for everyone, especially parents.  We have many small voices speaking to us all the time, but they are rarely still.  Life gets pretty hectic and crazy, and it's a good reminder to stop and count your blessings, be thankful for what the Lord has given you, spend time truly living and loving, and allow yourself some time to be silent and listen to what God has to say to you.

Feel free to join us in your own way and share any of your experiences in silence.  I hope to have some blessings to share next week about listening for that still small voice of our Lord.

"Be still, and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10