lent – Page 2 – 300 words a day

Faltering isn’t failing

I was trying to answer a question about Lent. My friend said, “Describe the feeling that people are experiencing that observing Lent could help with.” I wrote, “When you feel frustrated with faltering again on goals and resolutions.” And I laughed. The truth is that many of us describe outcomes as “failures.” We started the […]

by Jon Swanson

Don’t be surprised.

The safety person came to our chaplain staff meeting one day. She needed to make sure that we knew how to use a fire extinguisher. She said some general stuff. And she said four things, slightly summarized here. The fire extinguisher is heavier than you think. The pin is hard to pull out than you […]

by Jon Swanson

Moving toward love.

There’s a bell that rings when you walk into Lystra Tea Company. If you go there regularly and your visits are encouraging, just the sound of the bell can help your morning. Or afternoon. Or evening. I stop by often. I came today to learn more about how to give up fear for Lent. “Maybe […]

by Jon Swanson

Not letting worry run away with you.

I was grateful Lystra Tea Company opened early. I needed some coffee. And some counsel. “You look awful,” Tim said. He filled a glass with water and a mug with coffee. I laughed. “Six miles does that to you,” I said. “I’m trying to enjoy running, but I’m guessing that it will never show on […]

by Jon Swanson

Giving up fear for Lent.

“How’s Lent?” Tim asked. He filled my mug with coffee. “Apparently coffee isn’t part of your offering this year.” Tim knew one year I had given up all but one cup of coffee a day. And he knew how hard that year had been, not because of the caffeine withdrawal, but because of the stuff […]