Wandering through the Desert: A Lenten Reflection

Ever have good intentions, a plan, an idea of how to proceed… and then flop on it?

Like a well-meant New Year’s resolution, our Lenten plans can easily fall by the wayside. We want to pray more, do more, restrict more. Yet, life keeps going and we can’t seem to do all the things.

There are so many things.

We mean to do well in Lent to cleanse our souls and ready ourselves for the Easter celebration, a high time in the Liturgical calendar. We can feel like failures and want to give up when we go a few days or more not meeting our goals, but there’s no need to stop trying.

No matter how busy or distracted you are, you can start from where you are now. To help you out, here are some tips.

Plan Your Objective

Don’t overthink your goals. Make them—write them down—and then think of how and when you can do them. If you’re suffering over the exact minute you need to complete something, relax. You may have too much on your plate and need to simplify.

What’s the objective? Is it to pray more or pray exactly at a specific time every day? Do you want to read a book or listen to a podcast throughout Lent, or is it to do so each day without fail?

The exact plan might be one thing, but the objective is much broader. Use that broad objective to stay on track. The details may be adjusted if needed.

Have Flexible Timing

Let’s say you want to add a Rosary to your day, but you don’t have time to say it when you planned. You can’t help some circumstances so forgive yourself if you need to and find the next opportune time to pray. There’s no harm in praying while you drive or while you’re cooking dinner. If your kiddo is at a sports event, just sit in your car and do it then. It doesn’t take long.

You can do the same for any activity you planned to do but forgot or didn’t have time. Just find the next available time and move on. You may need to work around unexpected events to make it work and that’s okay.

Make Room for Silence

This world is loud and busy. We need to quiet our minds if we’re to hear God. Mamas of littles might need to sit in the car or bathroom, but most of us can find time even if it’s right before bed.

Be still. Reflect on your day no matter when you do this.

It’s okay to take just a few minutes if it’s all you have, but be sure to do it.

Time before the Holy Eucharist in adoration is spiritually nourishing, but time to yourself if you can’t get to the church is good too. Another great time to do this is at the end of your day and finish with an Act of Contrition. It’s a great way to seal your day by handing everything over to God in a quiet and penitent manner.

Pick Up Where You Left Off

Life happens. We forget things. We fall off the wagon.

But we have to get up and keep going—so, don’t stay down.

If you’ve lost your Lenten way, eaten the chocolate, or forgotten to pray, get back to it. It doesn’t matter if you messed up once or for four weeks in a row. Start now.

If the goal or objective seems too hard, go ahead and adjust it. It’s okay to make things more attainable for yourself, just keep moving forward.

The opposite is true: if you’re finding your Lenten journey too easy, try harder. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. It’s a journey, not a feather in your cap. We’re doing this to grow. If you feel you’ve plateaued, find a way to grow more. You’re not done growing until you’re in heaven.

Your Desert Journey

Jesus wandered in the desert for 40 days, fasting and praying the whole time. Your Lenten journey is a spiritual wandering, searching for ways to grow in Christ and deepen your faith. It’s a daily thing, so take it a day at a time. Just remember, it was the start of His ministry. When you’re finished with your Lenten journey, what might God have in store for you?