Slowing Down for Lent

2016-02-10 20:17:11 Mackenzie Sodestrom

Almost 3 years ago exactly, I wrote this blog about slowing down for the 40 days Lent. As we approach the Lenten season this week, I find myself in need of the same reminder to slow down and cultivate a Sabbath way of life. I suspect slowing down is one of those lessons I’ll need to learn and re-learn again and again throughout my life.

In America we've lost the art & space of stillness. Years ago when visiting Ireland, I was shocked that there were no clocks in any of the hotel rooms. When we requested wake up calls, they were often 20 minutes early. At the time I found this quite humorous, but I have learned to admire the way the Irish take their time and slowly enjoy life as it happens. We are a very time-oriented culture; we aim for efficiency and are seemingly always in a hurry between places. The Bay Area is well accustomed to this fast paced lifestyle. I find myself over-packing my schedule full of activities, hopping from point A to point B all day, getting home late and starting it all over again. Scheduling dinner with friends can feel nearly impossible to coordinate. Throughout the day I find myself barreling down hall ways and around corners, even when I’m not in a hurry. In a state of perpetual haste, lots of things get run over.

So when my husband asked me the other morning if we wanted to give up something for Lent, I decided that I'm going to give up speeding. I meant this most literally. A close friend of ours gave up speeding for Lent a few years ago and he noted a few things - first, you don't get anywhere significantly faster if you speed, 30 seconds, maybe. Second, slowing down to the speed limit helps you slow down your heart & mind as well. So I've been practicing slowing down my car and my body the last few days, and it's amazing how a small, intentional action can change my attitude. As cars whiz past me at 80mph, I don't feel angry, or the need to compete, or change lines every 30 seconds to get 5 yards ahead. As I walk at a leisurely pace, I notice my heart rate steady, my breath even, my mind clearer. I feel calmer & more present to listen to the radio, to pray, to sing, to work, to listen, to be in the present moment. My heart takes cues from my body slowing down.

I'm hoping that this physical slowing will spill over into the attitude of my heart and mind. As I slow down my car, in trying to multitask 4 things at once, in my work, in my time getting ready in the morning, etc. I'm praying that God will open my eyes to see his movement around me. That in my new commitment to slowness, I'll spend more time reflecting & listening to God, not just crossing a quiet time off my list. I'm confident He's already moving in my midst, but most of the time I'm flying past Him, too busy & too fast to notice what’s around me.

In my hurried, speeding state I often feel a little anxious. Acting a little short-tempered to my husband as I'm rushing around the house. Feeling a little more important than the people I'm speeding past. Feeling that in my hurry, my world only has room for me. In the moment slow may feel inconvenient, but I think a season of slowness in Lent will begin to shape me more into Christ-likeness.

Children and Teens, Women, Men, Mental Health, Gratitude, Spirituality, Anxiety