Turn Back to Me For Greatest Lent Ever!

Tis the season to be suffering? Oh no, tis the season to see things differently!! Dynamic Catholics is challenging us to have the Best Lent EVER! It is God however who is leading my spirit to have the Greatest Lent ever. This was quite obvious when our pastor suggested going to the link for “Best Lent Ever,” and then I spied two booklets on the table at church for Lent. “The Word Among Us,” offering a simple plan for a Blessed Lent with daily reflections, then there was daily Lenten Reflections by Pope Francis lying next to the first booklet. Boy, did I snatch them up and started to look forward to an adventure like no other. Of course there are also the daily Readings and just random messages from God to be found if I only open that Bible.

First day---key lines connect from all---but I loved the quote from Joe Difato, who is the publisher of the “Word Among Us.” “Jesus is asking us to decide on a particular fast—for fasting produces miracles!”

Don’t know about you, my family and life could use a lot of Miracles happening in it. Healing, restoration, completion of the Promises of God and renewed awareness of God in our lives---these are the miracles we all would hope to see. What a motivation then for daily fasting ---not just on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday---but daily fasting. We may even see the miracle of some ‘needed weight loss’ then too. Yes!

First reflection from Pope Francis asked the question---“What do I most want to do to ‘turn back’ to God during this Lent!”

I wrote in my journal---"I definitely do not want to ‘turn back time,’ thinking who does."As soon as I did, the

words “that is the clue,” came into my heart. Turning back time leads to memories that could bring up pain, guilt and depression. God tells us that greatest sacrifice is a sacrifice of PRAISE. Two weeks ago, God was reminding me to be ‘Joy and Gladness’ and Praise and giving Thanks in ALL things is the way to do so.

So, step one of fasting---fast from negative thoughts, attitudes and opinions too. Then these thoughts came into my mind. “Roses grown from fertilizer smell all the sweeter. As you TURN over the ‘dirt’ you bring life back into the garden again—life that comes from wisdom, understanding and forgiveness and letting go, turning all back to God. This is “Turning Back to God.” Turning all that is very negative past events, even present distractions, daily grind and struggles---turn this all BACK to God and see it as stirring up the dirt in your life’s garden—and allowing the seeds of faith to grow. If not for the bad---we would not appreciate the Good in our lives.

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for Your daily reflections as we draw away to be still and hear You speak to our Hearts. Yes, this shall be the Best, Blessed and Greatest LENT EVER, as we turn back to God with all our hearts.