Going scared
A farewell letter to my AirPods. I love you, see you at Easter.
Yesterday’s Gospel (the one about the sad, rich young man) always convicts me deeply - and considering we’re about to enter the season of Lent, it couldn’t have come at a better time.
As a refresher, in this scripture, the rich young man approaches Jesus and asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus reminds him of the commandments (don’t kill, steal, covet, deceive, or take the Lord’s name in vain), to which the young man confidently replies, “I’m already doing that!” But then, Jesus looks at him with love—knowing his heart—and invites the young man to sell all he has and follow Him.
The young man (who had been doing so well up to that point!!) hesitates. He is afraid to lose what he has, even with the Son of God standing right in front of him, offering him everything. And so, instead of releasing his grasp on his possessions, he walks away.
Lent begins tomorrow, and I think this passage is the perfect one to pray with to prepare. We are all that rich young man (maybe you’re not, but I definitely am!), grasping at something that inevitably creates a space between who we are and who God is inviting us to be. Sometimes, it’s my physical possessions that keep me from His love. Sometimes, it’s selfishness over my time, my plans, or my projects. But there’s always something. I know this, because whenever Lent comes around and I ask the Lord what I should give up, He never fails to bring to my attention the very specific thing that I do *not* want to give Him.
Last year, God invited me to give up jaywalking, which was very inconvenient. A few years ago, when I lived across the street from Trader Joe’s, He asked me to give up my daily trips there (sad). Other years, He’s asked me to give up being late, shopping for clothes, social media, alcohol, and talking about myself. Yes, I’ve had some difficult Lents. But!!! Every single one of them has been good for me. Every time I had to stand on a sidewalk for 50 seconds waiting for the light to change, or dig through my pantry instead of head to the grocery store, or sit in the presence of my friends without Instagram or alcohol to fill the silence, I grew a little more into the woman I believe He created me to be.
And this year?
The Lord is inviting me to give up my AirPods. (I know. I say this here so I cannot get out of it.) He’s actually asked me to do this for at least four years now—but, honestly, nothing scares me more. My AirPods and I are one. I am literally DICTATING this newsletter into them right now while walking down the street.
I love my AirPods because they make me feel secure. They let me listen to music and podcasts, gab on the phone with friends, protect myself from unwanted conversations, ignore things I don’t want to deal with, keep me in my own little world, and—most off all— they protect me from silence.
Because in silence, God speaks. And when I finally make space to listen in that silence, He often asks me to do hard things. And hard things are… hard.
I don’t love being asked to let go of things. But I can see why He’s inviting me into greater silence. I don’t know exactly what He wants to show me yet, but I know He’s asking me to trust Him.
So what about you? What’s the scary thing He might be asking of you this Lent?
I encourage you to take a moment, to ask Him what He’s inviting you to this Lent, and then to really listen. Maybe He’s asking you to give up alcohol or sweets, but maybe—just maybe—He’s calling you to something even more personal. Something unique to you. Something that is keeping you from Him, from the freedom and love that He has for you.
I can’t tell you what that is. Only you (and He) know.
But whatever it is, I pray you have the courage to say yes. Because just as the rich young man was asked to give up his possessions not for the sake of loss, but for the sake of freedom, we are being invited to that this season as well. Freedom to say yes. Freedom to fully encounter the One who loves us most.
So, what’s in your way? And will you let the Lord give you true freedom this Lent?
In your corner,
Jane
What I’m loving lately
Y’all, I loveeddddd this movie. It was my favorite genre (offbeat-friends/family-take-adventure-and-learn-about-themselves-kind-of-dark-comedy). Kieran Culkin was SPECTACULAR. I watched it on a plane and laughed and cried out loud many, many times. I can’t wait to watch it again. (Language is rough, but no other big flags). Also, I adored Kieran’s Oscar acceptance speech. So cute. More babies!!
Some very niche Ash Wednesday pick-up line humor
This is a hilarious candle.
Photos of churches
I personally love that my brand is “churches.” It means so much to me to receive photos of churches when friends are traveling around Europe, or South America, or really anywhere. What an honor to be thought of when people see a pretty cathedral!! Last week, a sweet friend printed photos he’d taken all over Italy and gave them to me, and it was such a meaningful gift. I can’t wait to hang them on a wall! PTL for pretty churches.
Have a blessed Ash Wednesday
Tomorrow is the most attended non-obligated mass day of the year. A priest friend of mine told me that the 7:30 AM Mass at Saint Matthews is the second most attended mass of the entire year after Christmas!! A couple of things that have made Ash Wednesday extra special for me in the past few years: First, invite your friends. Many people want to go to Ash Wednesday mass but they don't know when or where to go, and don’t want to go alone. I recommend texting a few friends right now and letting them know where you're going and inviting them to join you. Post mass times or your ashes on your Instagram story to reach even more people! Second, I highly recommend going to the earliest mass you can. I absolutely love walking around all day with ashes on my forehead because I make lots of friends and get to remind people that it is Ash Wednesday! I hope you have a blessed start to your Lent.
Prayer intentions:
For Erica, who is battling a nasty cold
For a cool work opportunity upcoming!!
For Pope Francis and his health
For all those who have lost their jobs in the past few weeks, that they might find a wonderful next step, soon