This week I'll bring you an episode from way back in 2021 that I hope will help us to frame our Lent in a positive and hopeful way.

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Thanks as always to my friend, Peter Vaughan-Vail, for providing the beautiful harp music you hear in this and every episode. Today we're looking at Lenten disciplines with an eye toward the growth of what we want to see in the end - in ourselves, our families, our church, community, country and world.  And we're giving ourselves space for light and hope in this liturgical season which literally means 'springtime'. 

Here are some resources I hope will make your Lent more encouraging and fruitful:

1. Helpful, grounded (and often funny!) d⁠aily Lenten video reflections⁠ from author Kate Bowler - you can also find them on ⁠Kate's Instagram⁠

2. ⁠Be Kind ⁠- a helpful Lenten practice video from Fr. James Martin

3. Best Lent Ever - ⁠daily videos⁠ from Dynamic Catholic

4. Song: ⁠Better Days⁠ by Ant Clemons, Justin Timberlake and Kirk Franklin

5. Song: ⁠Someday Soon⁠, by Wilder Woods

6. Song: ⁠O My Soul⁠, by Audrey Assad

7. Podcast: ⁠Abiding Together⁠

8. Lenten Practice: ⁠Watch this tulip video⁠, then: buy flowers for yourself (yes, for you!), put them in your kitchen, and let them be your teacher: spring is on the way, friend!

9: Instagram Account: Follow my friend ⁠The Bluebird of Happiness⁠ on Instagram for more hope and light in your feed!

10. My current favorite cover of ⁠Here Comes the Sun⁠ - search for more, they will make your heart happy! 

11. Lenten Practice: Conversations with God journal, start a new page and at the top write one or more of the following prompts, then just write until your hand is sore or you feel the loving voice of God creeping in and making Himself known to you: 

What habits or practices do I have today that are not serving me? How can I let them go? 

What do I want my life (or my family or community) to look and feel like on Easter weekend? How can I move in that direction now? 

How can I serve other people using my unique gifts? What would be a good first step today?