Walking in New Faith

Well, confession. I'm not a great blogger. A year and twenty day gap between postings is evidence of that. But I'm not here to write about my lack of writing...

However--a lot has changed in a year and twenty days. Lots of wonderful things.

For example, this year I'm celebrating the beautiful tradition of Lent. If you are perhaps like me and have never celebrated Lent before and are unsure what Lent is all about check this resource out.

Lent isn't just about giving up chocolate, television or your special adult beverage for forty miserable days. It's about examining your attitudes, examining your sin, your heart. Focusing your heart and mind of Christ. Mourning your sin. Expressing Gratitude for Christ's Sacrifice. Praising God for His Victory Over Death. Or...at least that's how I would describe it.

So initially, I thought I would give up Chocolate. Pretty conventional right? Plus, I really do love chocolate. But God had something different in mind...

God wasn't just interested in one little thing I enjoy....a lot. He was more interested in the things I love, and the things I oh so often put in between us. During a rather mundane morning God questioned me.

"April what do you really love?"

And that's what it really comes down to...love.

Of course I love God with my words, with my actions (at times..perhaps not when I drive) with my church attendance, with my tithe, with my decorations and jewelry.

But where do I spend my time each day?

What do I do each day instead of spending time with God.

So my Lent turned into a list...

A list of things I wanted to sacrifice
and
A list of things I wanted to focus on

The goal is to further my walk with God, to allow God the opportunity to speak to me, pouring His wisdom, love and mercy into my heart and out of my life.

So for the next month (let's hope) I'd like to share with you my Lenten experience.

Enjoy.

In His Grace,

April Marie