Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
“Solitude is a human need, a need for everyone. Never mind about who is an extrovert or an introvert. Solitude offers an opportunity for reflection, for sorting things out…When talking to a group of young mothers not long ago, I did not mention solitude as primary, lest that sound to monastic, too far out of reach…
But a journal appears to be ordinary. In fact it may open an extraordinary path. The journal’s empty pages become a way into solitude. They invite recollection, or centering…After clearing a space for God we may begin our conversation with God…In front of the Lord, we pull out our unfinished agendas, our unfulfilled desires, our unrequited loves. What is to be done about this? We want to know…
Stillness in the presence of God, a listening attitude, is also prayer…Solitude is one way we imitate Jesus, who went apart for times of solitude even though his life was already filled with prayer. Early in the morning, while it was still dark, He went outside into a solitary place for prayer. Besides that, Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert as a preparation for His ministry.”
Emilie Griffin in Small Surrenders: A Lenten Journey (Brewster: Paraclete, 2007) 45-48.
What’s today’s post have to do with generosity? Before we can go out and live a generous life, we must tap into the source of all generosity. That happens in solitude and prayer.
I like Griffin’s suggestion to journal because for some people, like young mothers, solitude seems out of reach. That’s where the practice of journaling can help us become fully present with ourselves and God despite the noise and distractions around us. Whether you journal or go to a quiet place, take time to vent, to pour out your heart before God, then also be sure to allow time to listen.
The forty days of Lent are modeled after the practice of Jesus who fasted for that timeframe before His ministry began. He was alone with the Father, tempted by the devil, and emerged from that exercise ready to minister generously! What about you? Are you up for the Lenten journey?
It starts Wednesday. Decide what you will do linked to prayer, fasting, and giving this Lent. Adopt your Lenten rhythms in these three areas for forty days from 1 March 2017 to 16 April 2017 (not counting the seven feast day Sundays, those are “days off”). They just might become a way of life. Don’t do this because I say so. Do it to follow the example of Jesus.