Lent

(The pieced back of my Sawtooth Star quilt.
Pictures of finished quilt soon, I hope--as soon as I finish it!)

When you're a nice, middle-aged lady such as myself, your sins tend not to be too flashy. No murder or adultery here, my dears. I mean, really, who has the time or the energy? Or a knife sharp enough to do the trick?

I do covet, it's true, and I can be quite envious at times, especially of people who are naturally slim. But my big sin has to be self-centeredness. While having children does cause me to be somewhat attentive to the needs of others on a regular basis, mostly when I plan my day, after I get past the have-to-do's, I go right to the what-I-want-to-do's. Sadly, caring for my neighbors is not always high on my list.

I've decided that this year for Lent I'm going to write a card or a letter every day, as a way of making space for people I'm not obligated by family ties to make space for. I know that it's more traditional to give up something for Lent, but I did some research, and all sorts of spiritual disciplines may practiced during the Lenten season, not just fasting. In fact, an emphasis on hospitality is one of those disciplines, so writing a card or a letter every day will be my practice of hospitality.

It will be interesting to see how this discipline feels, especially on those nights when I forget all about it until I'm just about to go to bed. I bet it will feel pretty irritating at times, and like a burden at others. But I hope it will change something inside me--or to put it as it's put in my mother's favorite grace, that it will make me more mindful of the ways and needs of others. We shall see.

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Speaking of letters, are you familiar with the Letters of Note site? If not, you should definitely check it out, especially the letter I've linked to, which is one of the most remarkable letters I've ever read in my life.

And if you'd like me to send you a letter or a postcard this Lent, just let me know. I'll do it!