Hey! Look at me! I’m pretending to be Peter! You know exactly what I’m talking about right? We’ve talked about sweet Peter in this Lent Devotional for Women. If ever there was a saint for the hot…or cold…or hot again, it’s good ‘ol St. Peter. And that’s how some of my Lents have gone down, hot and cold and hot again.
I started this journey all, “I’m going to make an amazing Lent using this Lent Devotional for Women kind of like Peter all, “Jesus I will never leave you…to the death and beyond!” Not only have I been hot and cold and hot again this Lent based on whims, circumstances, situations, and feelings; when I do get back to it, back on the horse of Lent so to speak, I compare myself to a saint. Smooth Jenny…slowly working your way up that heavenly ladder of glory.
Here’s the deal though, we absolutely can compare ourselves to the saints. I’m not comparing myself to the glory of St. Peter, I’m comparing myself to the messy grace of St. Peter.
Peter messed up, big time. But he knew God’s grace could get him back on track. The alternative was to slink away like Judas. I much prefer Peter’s way! I much prefer to be sorry, repent, and get back to the life and work God has planned for me! Hopefully the alternative never ever becomes an acceptable alternative for any one of us.
I know God can help me get back on track because, um, He’s done it for me before a time or two or a gazillion. If there’s one thing I know that I know, it’s that God will always help me get back on track. A good father always Always ALWAYS wants the best for his children and will do anything to help them be their best; God is no different!
See, it’s not just the Lent Devotional for Women I need God to help me get back on track with; how about my old 365 project, my old Saints Quotes? My used to, “make my own everything” lifestyle? Or my, “get up early every day for the rest of my life” plan? How about my, “eat super healthy and drink only gallons of water,” idea? Or my…you totally get the point right?!?
And although I do recognize there are seasons for everything–like the desire to want to grow and make my own food, I’m past that, LOL! There are some things that I just need to get back on track with every single time I run off into the ditch.
I have great ideas and noble intentions but when the first glimmer of resistance comes along, I am so done! But God’s not done. Did you get that? God.is.not.done. He will never be done with me. He wasn’t done with Judas and He certainly wasn’t done with Peter.
As we’re nearing the end of Lent I think we all need that reminder, God’s not done. Or as the old child’s poster or tee-shirt says, “God’s not finished with me yet.”
Remember Peter, he kept going. He kept on working for the Kingdom of God, forgetting the past and striving ahead. Let’s be like Peter! There’s work to do friends!
How many of us head into Lent thinking this will be “The Year.” We were going to have the holiest of holy Lent we’ve ever had. And then we don’t. Or we have a fabulous Lent and then get back into “Ordinary Time” and suddenly everything seems so, well, ordinary.
I think sometimes there’s this big spiritual letdown after Lent and certainly after Easter. We’re not sure where to focus, what to do. We struggle with the wide-open Liturgical space after the confines of 40 days.
Don’t lose heart. Keep on keeping on. God is still on the move and in control…and any other cliches we can throw in there right. The point is, for most of us our spiritual lives will be made or broken in the very ordinary places of time and space.
So, as we’re nearing the end of Lent, I can’t speak for you, but I haven’t lived up to my resolutions perfectly. But I’m resolved to focus on the fact that there’s still time. I can still try to love more and better, beginning with giving myself some grace to lift my weary head, square my tired shoulders, and try to finish strong. I’m focusing on progress, not perfection. Perfection just sets me up to fail. Progress, I can do that and so can you.
Please join me. Even if you haven’t slipped up this Lent, I sure have and I could use the encouraging company.
It’s all grace ❤️
I wish you a quiet and solemn Lent.
Thank you for this devotions.
Thanks for the continued encouragement.
Are you kidding? I didn’t even commit to giving something up or add anything new. As with New Year’s resolutions, I was weary of the whole process ~ try, fail, try, fail, set an example, show others that I’m holy, prove to God that I’m worthy, etc. etc. My vision was skewed even though on an intellectual level, I know the fruits of self denial. I imagined I wouldn’t bear much fruit.
Yet, through the mercy of God and the ministry of His church, He chose this time to bestow upon me a deliverance and healing that was long overdue and hindering me from love. Wow! I didn’t have to do back flips? I just had to “be willing, not worthy” to open up (scary) and let the Holy Spirit do his work.
So, I guess I did give up something. The idea that I can do it all myself. And, I didn’t interrupt the gift giving process. Have you ever done that?
OK, wow! Just wow Michelle. And great question, “Have I stopped interrupting the gift giving process?” I’ll fall asleep pondering that one.
Just think, you had goals of inspiring others everyday of Lent and most of us just hoped to read a bit more and maybe pray a little more! Love your ideas, keep it up!
Oh Amanda thank you! Thank you for your sweet comment. Let’s keep fighting the good fight and finish strong!
I’ve too have slipped up in my Lenten promises but I know the Lord knows my heart. He gives me the strength to “reboot” and start afresh each time I recognize my lapses. I desire to be a more kind and loving person. A example of a good Catholic Christian to others. Thank you for your blog. God bless.
Hey Gretchen, I love the “reboot.” God has to reboot me a lot! And yes, thank you for the reminder He knows my heart.