MARDI GRASToday is Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent, the last hurrah before a period of sobriety and solemnity. Traditionally, Lent is observed through prayer, penitence, giving or "fasting." I have done a little of each throughout the years, and have struggled to determine what I'm going to do to honor Lent this year.
Yesterday on our walk, Kathleen told me about a conversation she had about me, with someone else. She was telling someone about some of my struggles and part of my healing journey. Of course it was my story, and I know it well, so the surprising thing was that it sounded different coming from her. I actually learned something from my story.
It was a gift - to be told my story, by someone that has walked alongside me, literally, for ten years. Someone that has listened without judging, someone who came along after the healing began, but has been instrumental in moving it forward. Someone who has helped keep me on track as life has occurred, threatening to derail me more than once.
What I've decided to do as a result of that conversation, is make that my Lenten journey - to pray for the others in my life, fasting from judgment, giving in compassion, and with any luck at all, helping to reflect back to them, who they are.
* Photo from badexample.mu.nu
8 comments:
Don't you do that now????
Love you.
Suzy
How lovely! But I'd love to know: what did you discover from that story?
Perfect. Simply wonderfully perfect.
I remember Lent last year when Rojo had to curb his Halleluias at school!
Tanya,
He's already dreading the restriction of Halleluias again this year! To which we call, TFBS! Let 'em rip!
this took my breath away.
fasting from judgement.
perfect.
My question is the same as Suzy's. I'm so glad you have a friend like Kathleen who can show you the richness of yourself. Perfect timing, don't you think?
Love.
:)
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