Blogging through the Wilderness of Lent: Packing for the journey

40 Days with Parker Palmer

Just so you don't get confused, I am not Parker Palmer. In fact, I've never officially met Parker Palmer. I did attend one of his lectures once. Parker is a Quaker, an educator, a writer and a social reformer. Aside from the several weekly and monthly writing "assigments," I am not like Parker in any of those ways, but several of his books have helped me through some wilderness periods of my life in the past couple of years. When someone brought me this book, (the same someone who suggested this blog,) I knew it was destiny.

Lent has never been the "feel good" season of the church. On Ash Wednesday, we're reminded of our mortality, as we're marked with ashes for our penitential journey. Depending on the which gospel we're reading, on the first Sunday, we always watch Jesus get "driven" or "led" into the widlerness to be tempted. Unlike Christmas and Easter, the church will never have to worry about the retailers taking this season over. It's not easy to sell simplicity, solitude and self-reflection, unless you're talking about self-help books.

As wilderness journey's go, Lent can be a pretty lonely one. That's just how it is with self-reflection. Still, as we step into this stark spiritual wilderness to face God, it might be meaningful to know there are others wandering around in the wilderness too.

I hope your journey is blessed by this blog, the comments shared by other travelers and by the reflections of Parker Palmer.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Packing for the journey

We're about two weeks away from our departure. On February 25th, we'll step over that invisible line that marks the boundary of Lent. Some will go about their daily routines wihtout any awareness that the landscape has changed. Others will be keenly aware that "we're not in Kansas anymore."

To match the simple surroundings of Lent, you don't need to pack much. If you don't already have one, you may want to purchase a journal. If you have tried journaling and "it's not your thing," don't let that put you off from the journey. It's not required.

The book we'll be reading together mirrors this simplicity. Each day's readings offer an exerpt of Parker Palmer's writings, scripture, questions, some thoughts to reflect and prayers. Depending on your time and interest, you might spend 15 - 60 minutes each day.

Due to the demand, our local Cokesbury store in Kirkland has had to back order more copies. They estimate early to mid March arrival.

Each of us will find our blessings in different ways. For some it may be the book's offerings. For others, it may be the online community. Still others may find it in the practice of a daily discipline.

I look foward to traveling with you.