Lent

One thing I love about Chicago is its old-school Catholic vibe. It's like it's in the water here. I've secretly always wanted to be Catholic. It probably comes from being surrounded by Catholics growing up, while my parents and their friends were starting a funny little made-up church in a movie theater. I love the church community I grew up in, and I'm so inspired by their courage to make it all up according to their undertanding of what God was calling them to.

But at the same time, I've always loved the culture and the jokes and the sense of identity that go along with the Catholic tradition. Our city itself runs on a Catholic sense of identity--Friday fish fries, king cakes on Fat Tuesday, smudges on foreheads on Ash Wednesday, baptisms and first communions, the parish model in neighborhoods. I love it.

And today, the first day of Lent. People are all over the map on what kinds of things we should give up, and as is my approach to most matters of faith, I think there's more than one right answer, and that the general idea of giving something up to make space for God's presence and action is a very good impulse, no matter how you set about it.

This year I'm fasting from speaking negative words. To put it another way, if I can't say anything nice, I won't say anything at all. And I mean that as broadly as possible. And as seriously as possible.

Between now and Easter Sunday, I'm going to choose to believe that the world can keep spinning without my extremely clever and insightful take on what's wrong with this or that. 

I choose to believe if I lay down my complaining, my fault-finding, my criticism, there will be space for better words--words that give life, that build up, that point out beauty instead of brokenness.

I make my living with words. I live out what I believe to be my calling with words. I don't make music or build houses or trade commodities. I make my life in words. And in the past few months, I've become more and more aware of the power of my words, especially the power to hurt and break down.

There was a situtation a few months ago that we all knew had the potential to be, in my friend Margaret's words, a hot mess. And it did turn out to be a complete, burning, smoking hot mess. A friend asked me about it, and said, "I know so-and-so would give me the short version, but I want the whole play-by-play from you." What he meant was that he knew I would give the juiciest, most detailed, most raw and indicting version of the situation. He was right. And I'm ashamed of that. I don't want that to be true of me.

I've been reading and re-reading James 3 the past few days, in preparation for Lent. At the end of the chapter, he writes, "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

This is the heart of the conversation for me, and the heart of Lent this year.  My mouth has been running in too many directions. My opinions abound. We give life to things when we speak them--that pattern, of course, goes back to the moment of creation, when God spoke the world into existence. We give power to the things we give words to. And I've been giving power to way too many of the wrong things. 

For the next forty days, it's my task and my privilege to reclaim my words, to use them only for good, only to build up, only to connect instead of divide.

And you?  Are you making a commitment for Lent?  Why did you choose what you chose?

Grace and peace to you, on this Ash Wednesday. If you participate in Lent, may you find that an old tradition  brings you new life. That, I think, is the point.

Comments

[Amy Wright]

Convicting and renewing. Two of the things I like best about your writing. Hugs and best wishes to you over this 40-day journey.

[robyn]

yes, and yes! good thoughts for this season - and i miss the Catholic nature of Chicago so much! here in Omaha, while i've got several catholic friends, things seem to move on a more Protestant calendar. which is fine, but not the same somehow ... even though i, like you, grew up outside the catholic tradition.

i have not thought about Lent much this year - i think instead of giving up something, i will instead give in to something. for some time now i've wanted to go back and re-read the bible, beginning to end, from one of my old "school bibles" with all the footnotes and such. today seems like a good day to begin that habit, yes? make room for god by giving in.

[Bethany]

When I was 8 or 9 years old, I was standing in the kitchen trying to open a jar - when the seal popped, my tiny hand flung back and hit the microwave and I yelled for the whole house to hear, "DANGIT!" Long story short, that was way too close to a swear word for my parents' comfort and I got punished after they made sure my hand had stopped stinging in pain. My dad made me memorize that verse from James about praise and cursing coming from the same mouth. I've never forgotten it, although I wished that whenever I did swear or say something negative (one of my struggles) that the verse would come out instead. Would save me a lot of trouble. Thanks for the reminder. I've been contemplating what I'd give up for Lent (I'm not Catholic but participate anyway, like you.) and feel really convicted by this. <3

[Colleen]

Love it! As a young woman who also makes her living with words, I was convicted while reading this. God bless to you and know that I will be writing and speaking more about beauty over the next 40 days right alongside you!

[Bianca]

I've always wondered if abstinence could be given up for Lent? Just kidding.

I'm giving up perfection. I've failed at it for 29 years.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.

[chellie]

I went to a catholic school for 6 years, attending Mass each friday during school and I have never wanted to be Catholic. You are so funny! I love the positives you see in that faith, and I have too as I've become older. During that time, I saw a bunch of ppl mumbling words and making gestures that I couldn't understand during the service, and it was never explained to me what was being said or why.

I was reminded during my study this morning in the book of Isaiah how powerful words are. Women use 20,000 words a day (some of us more). the question was asked...how are you using your 20,000 words? Ouch! You have inspired me to be intentional about saying only positive things this lenten season...maybe it will stick beyond that. My only hesitation is I will probably fail. Lord help me!

blessings to you!

[Jeanna]

Thank you for your post. I too have been wanting to give up something that makes more space for God's presence in me and my life. I am choosing to give up worry, and committing to turn it into prayer over the next 40 days.

[Rachel]

I love LENT. It's always been my favorite season of the church year. The chance to reset, to empty out all of the "yucky" that's inside of me. I've been a real pro over the years at giving things up for Lent. Caffeine, red meat, Facebook, sweets... you name it, I've done it. But this year I had already made up my mind to give up complaining about my boss who frustrates me daily and tears down my usually optimistic and cheery spirit. I confide in my husband and a couple of close friends about my struggles at work, but I'm so sick of hearing myself complain, and I know that they are, too. I've known that this would be my most challenging Lent yet.
But in reading your post today, and especially after reflecting on the passage from James, I realize that I need to do more than just give up complaining about my boss. I need to change myself from the inside, too. I won't just keep negative words in my head and out of my mouth, I'll strive to keep them out of my mind at all. i need a new approach to thinking, and I know that Lent is just the time to do that.
Thanks for your wise words, Shauna.

[Courtney]

I am giving up facebook for lent, which may seem a little cliche because everyone and their mom is giving that up. For me I realized how much it takes up my life, thoughts and it was too much! I am taking the time to pray when I try to go to facebook. I am excited for this time to focus on the Lord. Thank you for your kinds refreshing words. I am so encouraged!

[laura @ hollywood housewife]

What a good thing you're giving up! That gives me something to think about, actually.

I'm not Catholic, either, but most years I either give something up or add something. This year, however, I'm having some trouble focusing on what to do. I'm not sure what that says about me, but I'm just not feeling particularly pulled in any way.

[Kristen@shetreks.blogspot.com]

This is the first time I'm going to participate in Lent, so being the research freak that I am, I'm reading anything and everything to learn. What came to me was not to give something up as part of my 40 day journey, but to do something incredibly hard for me. I'm going to try practicing a short window of silence several times a week that does not include my own study or supplication, but simply a quietly offered heart and mind to Christ. I already tried once today to get an early start and yikes! I'm ashamed to say that I couldn't make it through 5 MINUTES without getting distracted. Sigh.

[Meredith]

Courtney, I don't think giving up Facebook is cliche, even if it's a popular choice. I agree with you, it has a power in our culture to take a lot of time and energy away from real life with real people. I'm also fasting from Facebook and TV. I thought about how the point of fasting is to choose to say 'no' to something that is fundamentally good in order create space for God. I had to admit that in my life, too many minutes are given to those two things. They take up so much space, so they became the natural thing to remove for a season.

[Hannah B.]

Shauna,
You have no idea how much I needed to hear this... And that's how I know that these words are God-given. Thank you for responding to the conviction to write them. Sometimes I need to be reminded that although He accepts me just the way I am (sarcasm and all), He loves me too much to let me stay this way. :)

[meredith]

i like your idea. words are extremely powerful. looking for a way to better utilize that power - to uplift rather than tear down - is commendable. i have the feeling the experience will teach you a lot about yourself.

[Stephanie@insignificantdetail.blogspot.com]

I just read Poser: My Life in 23 Yoga Poses by Claire Dederer and Lent seemed like the perfect time to (finally) commit to a daily home yoga practice. Some years, I have "given something up," but this year it felt right to add something that's been missing.