Tonight I had pancakes for dinner at Grace Church. It is a pretty low-key, family-friendly event. And who can say no to pancakes for dinner? Especially if someone else is cooking? But let me say, I am not a Mardi Gras kind of person. I do not wear cheap plastic beads or drink in public or attend events where public urination is an issue. The idea of overdoing it in anticipation of some fake fasting is somewhat repellent to me. I know that makes me sound like an old lady and I suppose I am too much of a puritan. But I have always felt that way, even when I was a young lady.
But I do like Lent. I like the idea of trying to be more intentional about prayer and bible study. I like the idea of taking on rather than just giving up. I like having a “Mite Box”.
So I will be blogging some about this darker season leading up to Easter. I even have my favorite Lenten movies to share.
Lent
Welcome deare feast of Lent: who loves not thee, He loves not Temperance, or Authoritie,
But is compos’d of passion. The Scriptures bid us fast; the Church sayes, now:
Give to thy Mother, what thou wouldst allow To ev’ry Corporation.
… It’s true, we cannot reach Christ’s fortieth day; Yet to go part of that religious way,
Is better than to rest: We cannot reach our Savior’s purity;
Yet are bid, Be holy ev’n as he. In both let’s do our best.
Who goeth in the way which Christ hath gone, Is much more sure to meet with him, than one
That travelleth by-ways: Perhaps my God, though he be far before,
May turn, and take me by the hand, and more May strengthen my decays.
Yet Lord instruct us to improve our fast By starving sin and taking such repast
As may our faults control: That ev’ry man may revel at his door,
Not in his parlor; banqueting the poor, And among those his soul.
George Herbert
1633
dual personalities 