Back to the Blogging

I'm back!  A few observations from my blogging hiatus:

1.  A lot happens in 40 days.  Some really good, some really bad.  Looking back on all the things have happened since the start of Lent (things that I might want to write about/post pictures of or things that I would consider "major events") I'm just amazed at all that occurred during that little window of time.

2.  Discipline is not my strong suit.  My plan was to take away one of the things that typically fills up my evenings (reading/writing blogs), and instead spend at least some of that time with prayer.  I did OK at that.  I started off strong but by the last two weeks, the regularity of my prayer time was spotty at best.

3.  The best part was having space.   Nothing magical happened during my Lenten experience.  I didn't hear any audible voices from heaven.  But, removing something from daily routine gave me more space. And space was just what I needed over the past month to process some really hard things. 

4.  If it's not one thing, it's another.  My go-to vegging-out activity often involves some sort of electronic device.  If it's not TV (canned that about 2 years ago), it's computer time.  If it's not computer time, it's watching something on Netflix.  I really wish my go-to down-time activity would be to check-in with my Maker.  Anyone know how to remedy this (other than a swift kick in the pants!)?

5.  It's been so fun to catch up on all my favorite blogs over the last few days.   I missed them!  And I've missed you!  Won't you drop me a line and say hello?! 

See You in 40 Days

Do you typically "give something up" for Lent?  I've been a Christian for a long time now and for whatever reason, I have never done it.

This year, I'm giving it a try.  I figure, if I want to hear that "still, small voice" that often gets drowned out by busyness (or laziness), it might be good to remove at least one of the things that gets in the way of me hearing it. 

It wasn't too hard to figure out what that thing should be.  See, I have a nightly pattern.  After my kids are finally all asleep and Steve settles into his night-time study-mode, I go straight to my computer.  I check my email, check my blogger dashboard, and even check Steve's facebook - gotta know what everyone's up to out there in the world.

Ah, the goodness of reading a new blog post.  I love to laugh at Nyquist New Branch, get inspired by the Livesays in Haiti, glean wisdom from Linda, learn about Todd's progress, view current events from the perspective of Eugene Cho, celebrate the Good but Hard life of a dear family, read ministry-related discussions Out of Ur, discover new Signs of Life, look at all those pictures of my friends' cute-as-buttons kiddos, and even get neighborhood updates on the Natomas Buzz.  The list could go on and on.  I follow quite a few blogs!

While I love my blog reading, and occasional writing, it can be quite a time-suck.  I wonder what would happen if I spent at least a portion of that time each night praying. 
 
So, I'm giving it a try.  For the 40 days of Lent, I'm going to refrain from reading or writing blogs (or any social networking for that matter).  I'm replacing that computer time, with this Lenten prayer guide:

 
It's not going to be easy!  I'm going to be tempted to do a quick peek here and there at my blogger dashboard to see what my friends are up to.  I'm hoping this post will serve as a little bit of accountability for me. 

See you in 40 days!