Lenten Journey 2007 - A Dental Analogy

The Lenten season commenced this past Wednesday (Ash Wednesday), and for many it may be a time of reflection. For redirection. For Healing from brokenness. For answers.

In the almost 12 years that I have been a Christian, I've never taken the Lenten season that seriously until last year. I mean, I reflect a lot, and I think through things, praying that every big decision I've made has been done so with mix of wisdom, prudence, and just plain guts. But as I look back on last few years of my life, and how busy I have made my life to be (via long work hours, wasted time watching too much t.v., healing from some relationship woe's), I found myself arriving at outcomes different from what I intended to do. And of course, because I'm the self-proclaimed illustration-prince, the first thing that came to mind was my teeth, and the Dentist.

I know. I know. Why a Dental analogy you say? Let me try and explain myself...

My teeth have a funny way of accumulating calculus on the inner-side of my teeth, no matter how much I brush. But to avoid TMI and to make my point, the calculus buildup around the inner-side of the teeth is much like hardening of my heart (figuratively here; my physical heart is strong as an ox). As a result, I have not been as reflective, I haven't been pro-active enough in reaching out to the poor, I've not been as disciplined (i.e. prayer, fasting, regular devotionals, resting). And much like I feel "guilty" when I go to the dentist and find out I have all this build-up, I realize that some vital parts of my life have been lacking because I've somehow produced some build-up around my heart.

So what's a Win to do? Time to make an appointment with the 'Dentist'. And by 'Dentist', I mean God.

As I read today's reading from Henri Nouwen's Show Me the Way, my heart and my thoughts began to quiet down. I realized a little more of what I need to actively do during Lent this year. As I pray for God to chisel down my slighly hardened heart, I hope to regain a greater sense of love and gratitude than I've ever had before. I have so much to be thankful for, and I almost boxed it up for storage. While I believe that it is God's love and his people that have watched over me all these years, I have to learn to respond with more urgency.

You know, in the apparent dark times of my life, its hard to see things around you. You hope also that you are not alone and that love and support come to your aid. And then I'm reminded that many times all you have to do is look up, and the Light is closer than you think.

I encourage you that if you are observing Lent or are going through a journey in your life currently, please take a moment and check out the "Lenten Journey 2007" blog site, hosted and provided for by my good friends.

www.lentenjourney2007.blogspot.com