In the season of Lent, our church is in a series called Broken. I'm reminded of broken families and the overwhelming pain that exists in homes across our communities.
The front door is painted a fresh coat of white. Potted begonias on the left and the right. From the sidewalk, life seems alright. Behind the shades is a soft yellow light. Next to the lamp is a girl on the floor. Curled up and wounded down to her core. Her daddy said, “I don’t love you no more.” In the kitchen he bellows a whisky roar. The front door is painted a fresh coat of white. It covers the inside and all of its plight. But truth can’t be painted and put out of sight. The back door is open; she slips into night.
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Lent’s agenda is to be honest about brokenness. So the season has historically incorporated habits that remove the walls we use to conceal our broken parts. Walk the season of Lent by removing these walls through specific practices and habits. “Break stuff” with these practices.
Break Crutches: What’s your crutch? Caffeine? Candy? Impulsive spending? Do without it for this season. Break Noise: Declare specific times of silence in your day by setting certain moments to be “Electronic Free.” Three nights a week - no TV, computer, tablet, ipod . . . phone? Break Distance: Are you distant from someone because of a dispute, fight, or past event? Go to them and be reconciled. Break Bad Habits: We often develop bad habits as coping mechanisms – over-eating, abusing drugs or alcohol, smoking, procrastinating, gossiping, etc. Identify a bad habit and break it. Break Silence with God: God wants you to call on him. Has it been awhile? Have your prayers faltered? For these 40 days, wake up an hour earlier than normal and pray. |
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