What My Dogs Can Teach Me About Lent

           My dogs love to run and play at the dog park, especially when some of their canine (and human!) friends are there. It’s fascinating to watch how they all play; in the same situation, they take a very different approach. Comet, for example, part greyhound, has a RUN RUN RUN! mentality as she tries to keep up with the other dogs. Watson (older and stockier!) tends to strategise a bit, watching and waiting until the chase gets near enough for him to pounce on in. 
            It’s amusing to watch, as the streamlined Comet goes as fast as her name suggests, loves to run in bursts – the faster the better. Watson, of course, still wants to play despite his lesser energy levels and previous injuries, and lower agility.  However, they both have fun, they both have the happy wagging tails and smiling faces, they both come home exhausted (and nap well as a result!) 
            They are using what they have, in the best ways possible. 
            Lent offers us the chance to reflect in on our own lives, to use what we have, to the best use possible. It’s why we are invited to reflect for ourselves on what we want to give up, what spiritual practices we’ll take on, what our fasting will focus on, etc. For example, the folks who are giving up coffee to donate that money to the food bank – wonderful! But such an act would be useless for someone who doesn’t drink coffee. 
            It is intentional that our Lenten practices are open to interpretation, as we all experience the spiritual journey uniquely. Our temptations are different, our abilities and gifts are different, our opportunities are different - but the goal is the same: a holy and spiritually fulfilling Lenten season. 
            Wherever you are in your Lenten journey, I hope it is a meaningful one for you – a time for prayer and reflection, for an honest recognition of the God-given gifts that you have, and of the opportunities that are being revealed for you to use those gifts.