~ Frederick Buechner
We are in the season of Lent, those 40 days before Easter (not counting Sundays), when we examine our lives to see how we might become the best version of ourselves. On Sunday, I offered in my sermon a s piritual practice of paying attention to your feet. And I didn't mean getting a pedicure. What I suggest for this practice is simply watch your feet for the remainder of Lent to see where they take you. What you see will tell you what matters to you; it also might tell you what might need to change.
For the past month, we have had no choice but to watch our feet. The paths are so narrow on the streets, we have to watch where we are going or we will run smack into a snow bank or slip on ice and fall. But perhaps in these days you have you found your feet taking you to a neighbor's door. Have you picked someone up so they did not have to deal with the commute alone? Have you wondered about someone who might be shut in or confined because of the snow and reached out?
Consider trying this simple practice for Lent. Look at your feet at the close of each day and see where you feet took you. The quote by Fred Buechner reads, "Where your feet take you, that is who you are." What do your feet tell you about your life?
Below is a simple list of fasts that I take out each year during Lent. This year, I will fast from complaining and feast on appreciation.
See you Sunday.
Rev. Beth
Fast from pessimism;
Feast on optimism.
Fast from criticism;
Feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity;
Feast on joy.
Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.
Fast from idle gossip;
Feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from jealousy;
Feast on love.
Fast from discouragement;
Feast on hope.
Fast from complaining;
Feast on appreciation.
Fast from selfishness;
Feast on service.
Fast from fear;
Feast on faith.
Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.
Fast from self-concern;
Feast on compassion for others.
Fast from discontent;
Feast on gratitude.
From Whole People of God Sunday School Curriculum