Subtracting or Adding?

Traditionally, Lent is a time for "giving up" something. People give up chocolate (no way!) or coffee, I've heard some people are giving up Facebook for 7 weeks. Not me. I'm taking a different track - I 'm not giving something up; I'm taking something up.

Tonight was the first meeting of my Lenten Study group. There are ten of us, studying scripture and our study guide is called "It's Hard to Dance with the Devil on Your Back." This happens to be a lyric from the hymn "Lord of the Dance" which has nothing to do with Michael Flatley and those Irish tap dancers. Except maybe it does. We discovered that that Irish dancing was developed at a time when dancing was restricted in Ireland. Since they were only allowed to move their feet and ankles, they developed a dance that could help them express their joy even under restrictive circumstances. And, of course, this is what the entire bible study is about this season - keeping in tune with the joy and the holy spirit even when things are tough, falling apart, or not what you wanted; when the devil is on your back.

I was glad to hear from one of the members of the group about her impressions of me years ago when I first joined my church. She had wondered about me at the time, and she said she was never sure if I was open to being greeted by others or not. She wasn't sure how or if to approach me. She told me that she's watched me blossom - and still am blossoming - into a spirit-filled person. I felt so blessed to hear this from her, knowing that at another time in my life, I might have been insulted or felt like justifying my behavior upon hearing such memories.  But I didn't feel that at all. I'm blessed to be given a mirror to the past for a moment, to see a glimpse of how much my life has changed in the last 11 or so years. Indeed, I am being led by the spirit into a fuller life, a fuller marriage, deeper friendships, and a more meaningful attitude toward life. I don't have any more money, though. There are things around here that needed fixing just as bad as they did 11 years ago. I still wish I had a remodeled kitchen, a back fence, and someone else to do my dusting. But those things are not so important compared to the peace of mind I have now that I did not have before. It's all going to be alright. I have what I need. I don't really need what I want.

I'm glad I took something up this Lent. This group is going to be wonderful company on the road to the cross.