Okay, I’m not Catholic or Lutheran or any one of those religions that practice Lent but years ago I just thought what better way to give back to Jesus for what he did for us then give up something for him for 40 days. I’ve done lots of different things from giving up certain foods, to no TV, to devotions and other stuff but I’ve been sitting here today (well sitting isn’t exactly what I’m doing, it’s been a busy day) trying to think what I want to do. All day today in my mind I keep saying I need to meditate on this problem. I need to meditate on seeing what the Lord has for ideas. I took the kids to the library today and even checked out a book called “Meditations For WOMEN Who Do Too Much”. It’s for the busy mind, for the mind that won’t shut up and let a person meditate.
Anyways, I got the point Lord, I know what I need to do I need to learn to meditate. I need to learn to sit quietly for 10 minutes a day and not think or do anything. Now I know nothing about meditation. I am reading the book “Eat, Pray, Love” and that lady in there is trying to find her center, trying to find what makes her tick. I think that is what got me started thinking about this in the first place. I find it hard to sit still. I find it hard to just pray without a million other ideas rolling around in my head. I read somewhere about a woman’s mind is never still, never thinking about one subject, never just stopping to reflect, relax and rejuvenate. Well not all women because I know of some that can sit and be at peace. Some that can close their eyes and just focus on one thing. It’s not me but I am going to try.
So for my 40 days of Lent, I am giving the Lord my mind in Meditation 10 minutes each day. It’s not long I know but if I can start out with 10 minutes and learn to just shut up and listen, well I bet in time I can do it more. I can really just let the Lord do the talking and not interrupt him all the time with 10 million other ideas running around in my mind.
No matter your status in religion don’t you think giving something back to the Lord is a good idea? How just a reason to do something that’s good for you for 40 days in a row.
Just my ideas and thoughts rolling out there for you to see and think about too. Wish me luck…well that’s not really right…it’s not luck I need, it’s more, wish me the wisdom to learn to do this.
Take care my friends. God Bless you all!!
10 comments:
The bible encourages meditation. I think it focuses on reading the bible and then meditating about what it says. It IS so hard to sit quietly and just THINK. That's why for me, bible reading is essential as it makes me just STOP and focus. I personally don't think that God wants us to give something up or sacrifice something FOR him, he does want us to give Him some of our time though. So what you are doing is good, you're not sacrificing anything, you're just showing him respect by giving Him your time. I don't know if you are a bible reader but Psalms is quite uplifting as well as Matthew if you want a plac to start! I hope it works well for you! Worst case scenario, at least you'll have some quiet time!
I do wish you the wisdom to learn to do that.. meditate 10 minutes a day. Fabulous idea. Meditation is a form of prayer and actually helps me when I pray. It is so hard to clear our minds of all the clutter that's going on. I love this idea!! :)
~Margene
Love that you picked this. Something that sounds so simple...10 mins a day is really quite hard! I pray that you can grow closer to Him and listen :)
This post is so sweet. I'm going to try too. May this bring you peace and more happiness. :)
I love this idea!!!
What a lovely way to celebrate lent. Mine for this year is to pray with my babies every night, to teach them to talk with god in a way that makes sense for them.
I am not an overly religious person, but I do believe in God - I think its great that you are setting aside 10 minutes a day - you may make it a regular habit! :D
This is beautiful, Julie. I don't really think the Lord cares if we're Catholic or Lutheran or any religion. I think he just wants us to talk to him and then shut-up and listen. I learned a long time ago that prayer is when we talk to God. Meditation is when we listen for His answers. I talk a lot - too much - but listening? I'm working on that during Lent just like you. The hardest part for me is shutting up. 40 days of "listening" to help myself is a great plan. I sure wish you well with yours and may you hear His finest whispers.
Hugs,
Jackie
Sorry I deleted my last comment because I couldn't spell for beans!
Meditating on the Lord's word...and on His actual Being...is a Biblical. Moreso, meditating on His word is a commandment for spiritual health:
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and
then you will have good success (Joshua 1:8 NKJV)."
It's not blank mind meditation..but it can be simply focusing on an aspect of a verse, a holy phrase, God's attributes...letting it just be a still and quiet observation or pondering...looking for insight by...letting it sit in the mind quietly or actively. Though you seem to want the quieter type. :)
I used to do this regularly and found it beneficial. Thanks for reminding me. I need to get back to this aSAP....not as a gift to Him, as a gift to me. :) Well, and as obedience.
I used to be Catholic (though the Orthodox Christians win the title for giving things up for Lent, Holy Abstinences), and we always gave up meat on Fridays and all 40 days of Lent. My eldest sis is the only one of the siblings to still do this.
I think if I were going to give something up, it would need to be something I really love that is non-beneficial (not food or drink, but a habit or indulgence of the selfish sort). I'd have to ponder if I'd do that...cause I'm lazy right now. ; )
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