Saying "Happy Lent" doesn't exactly feel like the appropriate greeting to welcome in this season in the life of the church. I'm not sure what we should say as we enter into the season of waiting and preparing for the cross and the resurrection.
I saw some packskis for sale yesterday at the grocery store and thought, "Are people more likely to eat a packski than they are to worship on Ash Wednesday?" I know that's a goofy question, but I wonder about the discipline that comes with Lent and whether we in the church have a difficult time really getting into Lent.
I think where we live here in Northern Michigan helps us understand the coming of Easter better than most. I don't know about you, but I find this time of winter is particularly difficult. It feels like it's never going to end, even though we know it will eventually. We have such a hard time seeing the green trees and warm weather that really is just around the corner. If anything, the gloominess of late winter helps us appreciate those springtime feelings that much more.
Take the time to appreciate the change from Advent to Christmas, from Christmas to Ash Wednesday, from Ash Wednesday to Lent, and from Lent to Easter. This to shall pass.
