Learning to slow down in the fast track

 "God, you hate nothing you have made …” (Book of Common Prayer, a prayer for Ash Wednesday)

I have walked around the neighborhood a few times over the years and have yet to see any signs that we are living in medieval Europe. Most of the houses are standard frame ranches or split-levels; most are clad with wood siding and/or trimmed in brick; most are connected with wires for utility services (above ground), while pipes for water, waste, and gas are buried out of sight and mind.

It really is quite marvelous how everything works together. Stuff comes in and stuff goes out. Much of it is invisible. 

It boggles the mind, so I really try not to think about it too much. I’m ditzy enough at the best of times!

I mentioned medieval Europe at the top of this column because in the midst of modern (or is it postmodern?) America, many of us find ourselves entering into what seems to be a relic of ages past: Lent. Lent is a season of forty days where people in traditions that recognize Lent are called to engage in a variety of disciplines – to toughen up their faith, if you will.

Christians of all stripes are invited to engage more seriously in “self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial …” (Book of Common Prayer, 1979). While these are specifically aimed at Episcopalians in my own faith tradition, I would suggest they are also worthy of consideration by folks in all walks of life. 

We sometimes make fun of folks who choose to give up meat or chocolate for Lent, or make a point of giving extra canned goods to the local food pantries during the season; cleaning out their closets to make donations to local thrift shops and the like. There’s nothing wrong with Spring Cleaning and dieting; nothing to make fun of! 

Seriously. God didn’t put us here to decide what others need to do for a better life. That’s why the focus is on self-examination. You know yourself better than anyone else does. You may or may not even want to change. Who’s to know? There are people who, like Fonzy, can look in the mirror and decide, hey hey hey, what’s to change? Perfect!

But for the rest of us mere mortals, a brief glance in the mirror tells a different story. We avoid the mirror, not to avoid a physical reflection, but because we are convinced we don’t measure up in any way, shape, or form; every effort to change has often been dashed by inattention or the reality of living in a world that thwarts us at every turn.

So what do we do? What can we do?

First, fret not. The angels in the Bible always seem to land with a thwump and cry out, “Fear not!” The point is, God isn’t out to get you, me or anyone else. 

So be still. Open the door to your mind and send the restless spirits out to play; let the peace of your Higher Power come in to sit with you. Don’t even think about talking to God; just let your heartbeats do the speaking, meeting, and becoming one.

Secondly, you may identify something you would like to change. Hand it over to your higher power. Maybe giving up Girl Scout Cookies is what you’re called to do. That’s how the cookie crumbles. But maybe you’ll discover a need to make peace with some person or some event in your life. “Repent” means to change – ideally toward health and healing.

Lent gives us all a chance to pack up the stuff we don’t want or need and hand it off to God. It is a deliberate act of spring cleaning for body, soul, spirit (and home).

It may be food and stuff for the poor. It can also be memories or attitudes that do nothing but weigh us down. Lent gives us a chance to clean the attic of our minds and the basements of our souls – to free us from the clutter of careless lives and all the stuff that gives us grief.

Enjoy your spring cleaning, folks. I feel much better, lighter, and chipper when it’s done. I’m sure you do, too. Blessings to you here in this, our valley.

Keith Axberg writes on matters concerning life and faith. Author of: Who the Blazes is Jesus? Good News for a Vulgar World (available through Amazon in Print and e-book)