Lent Blogging Fast

Did I mention here last week that my food sacrifice for Lent will be sugar? Every time I prayed about what I was to give up, sugar was the answer. Today I was praying about that sacrifice and about other preparations for the season of Lent when the still, small voice impressed upon me there was something else I need to do for Lent. I need to take a break from reading and writing blogs. This isn't at all what I wanted to hear. I love reading my blogroll every morning. I miss it when I work and can't keep up. Still, I know that many days I spend too much time on the computer and neglect other areas of my life. Sometimes, I get so involved with the lives and happenings of my cyber friends, I neglect my "real life" friends and family.

One of the reasons I know this break is necessary is because of the undercurrent of fear I've allowed to creep into my daily life. Things in the world are happening very quickly and as I've tried to stay informed and to prepare for whatever might come, there are times when fear is my only response. I don't intend to stick my head in the sand and pretend these challenges aren't real. I simply hope to turn to God more often with my fears and my prayers. Too many days, my response to any inkling of fear is to get online and see what ____________ (fill in any number of bloggers or other online news sites) has to say about the issue of the day. During Lent, I hope to take those fears and concerns directly to the communion of saints and to the throne room of God. Lord have mercy.

I won't be reading blogs or writing any blog posts until Easter. I have a stack of good books on theology and faith, to read: The Fathers of the Church by Mike Aquilina, The Glory of Thy People by Raphael Simon, Surprised by Truth by Pat Madrid, The Doors of the Sea by David Bentley Hart, On Being Catholic by Thomas Howard. I have Atlas Shrugged to finish and The Forgotten Man to read. I have mittens and other things to knit! I will continue to check my email daily and I will try to write reminders for myself so I can write more meaningful posts when I return. I want you all to know how much you encourage me on my journey of faith. In many ways, my wanderings and wonderings have been deeper because I've been inspired by so many of you. I pray God's blessings upon you and your households during this blessed season.

The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26