The Phenomena of February 2013

There is a phenomena happening this February according to my calendar.

In three consecutive days, we go from “live it up” to “live it down” to “love is in the air everywhere.”  Yes this trifecta is Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday and Valentine’s Day, February 12, 13 and 14, 2013.  It feels like a roller coaster and it feels like my life, I will be honest and say even my spiritual life.  The expressions of each of these days are all real, human and experienced.

It would seem that this gift of holidays and calendars might give us a lesson in living in the moment and wholeness.  If I try to compartmentalize the sentiments of these days and not see them as a whole, I might leave myself short.  Embracing all of life is a path to wholeness, one we might consider this Lent.

God has called us each to live our lives fully.  As I pray and reflect on fully embracing and living this life, as a living, breathing, loving, spiritual creation of God, these three days call out to me. This is it!  Where is God?  Here in my celebrations, my brokenness, and in the love I receive and share, I meet God.

I am suggesting instead of spending your time thinking about what I can do this Lent for my spiritual life, spend Lent reflecting on what can I do with all of my days that I might live more in tuned to the Spirit.  Looking at the ups and downs of our lives and coming to a realization that every piece of our life is important.  Find ways to listen to God in the inner self where the Spirit speaks.  It could lead to knowing, accepting and celebrating our lives fully.

Yes, choose your Lenten commitments and engage in them fully.  What do they call you to beyond Lent?  How is the Spirit inspiring you to take your experiences the good, the bad and the adored into your every day?  You might find the answers in the quiet if you listen for the great Lover.  The answers may even be found in Fat Tuesday or Valentine’s Day too.

Maybe this year we should call the week of February 10^th, The Holidays.  We can encourage ourselves and others to engage in it all, because all of it can be gift, when we open ourselves to that opportunity.

by Peggy Gerovac