130. Lent 2022: Why We Need to Practice Lent More Than Ever

“Ultimately, we recognize the season of Lent before Easter not because God demands it of us, not because Christ commanded it to prove our mettle, and not because we must perfect ourselves before we’re worthy of Easter,” writes Oxenreider. “We observe Lenten practices because they’re good for us… In a world that celebrates indulging our whims whenever we want, to practice the traditions of Lent is countercultural.” Today is the first day of Lent—which is holding a new meaning for me this year as I pack up my house and life on Maui and get ready to move to Idaho (ironically in the middle of the Lenten season this year). The message and meaning of Lent is helping me get through this move by bringing in notions of self-discipline and reflection (which I need right now). Many of us think of Lent as a time of lack—of fasting & taking away. But what if we could expand that perspective and see the “lack” or “taking away” as making room for more, for celebration. Fasting making room for feasting. (Lent’s purpose is to quite literally makes room for Easter). What if this year we don’t skip straight to the Easter baskets and egg hunts, but use this time to come out of this season (a two year long season of lack) more meaningfully and intentionally? If Lent is a new concept to you, don’t worry, we share the basics and history of Lent in this episode. If you’re an old hat at Lent, there’s something here for you, too, as Tsh Oxenreider walks us through her inspiring new book Bitter & Sweet as well her reasons why our world needs the life giving practice of Lent now more than ever. Tsh’s Bio: Tsh Oxenreider is the bestselling author of several books, including Bitter and Sweet: A Journey Into Easter and At Home in the World, her memoir about her family’s year traveling around the world and living out of backpacks. She’s also a travel guide, teacher, and podcaster, and she lives in Georgetown, Texas, with her husband and three children. She is equally happy snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef with her family and putzing around her own backyard. Find Tsh online at tshoxenreider.com. FULL SHOW NOTES AT: WWW.ELEVATINGMOTHERHOOD.COM VISIT TODAY'S SPONSORS:  BLOSSOM & ROOT (CODE: LORIBETH10) HOMESCHOOL EXPLAINED