I cannot believe how little I’ve been keeping up with writing here since I said I was going to follow through with my Lenten thoughts, and before that, I intended to share more about my progress with developing new habits and disciplines. I truly meant to follow up with both of these topics, yet here I am realizing I’m way behind.

To my credit, today is the most “normal” I have felt in so long I can’t remember (though it’s probably only been a couple months). I confess that I have not yet learned to just power through my feelings and do disciplines that I should do. Yet, on days like today, I’m okay with that.

When I have “normal ” days, I can see that I’m very hard on myself at times. The fact is I am truly learning and developing newer, better disciplines and habits. It just takes time; life is slow in progressing. The goal is to have a “long obedience in the same direction” (Eugene Peterson), and on that goal, I’ve never given up.

As for the day-to-day stuff, my new system is working in an unexpected way. 😂 I’ve found that having everything written out has relieved my mind so much that I don’t feel pressured by it all. I go to my chore list when I feel I need to do so, and I draw from my little soul care post-it choices when I can’t think of what to do next.

My Lenten focus has taken me through fasting and simplicity the last couple weeks, and now I’m on frugality. I’ve found all three of these intertwined as I’ve gone without material things or food I wanted, and clearing those distractions a bit has given me more time for all the other must-do’s and should-do’s in my life, while being much more intentional with the want-to-do’s.

Life isn’t perfect…but today felt normal, and that is so, so good. As I continue this week of frugality, less spending and more peace, I am seeking to be brought into the mindset for next week’s focus on intercession, less me and more others.

Blessings on you as you journey through whatever your Lenten focus is…