“And in pursuit of the better, Adam and Eve lost the good.

In pursuit of knowledge, they lost wisdom.

In pursuit of themselves, they lost themselves.”

Erin Loechner from Chasing Slow

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Happy Friday Dear Reader!

Weather in The Wilderness Place has been nothing short of perfection! Today will be no exception and I am looking forward to an afternoon out with my Sweet Man. First, I am joining Kate Motaung and others where we write five minutes on a one word prompt.

Today’s word: SLOW

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Yesterday found me baking my favorite healthy muffin recipe and listening to Annie F. Down’s That Sounds Fun Podcast. (you can find That Sounds Fun Podcast on iTunes, Episode 26) The girls from She Reads Truth were guests, the topic Lent.

The scent of oatmeal and cinnamon danced in the breeze of open windows, my journal and favorite pen lay nearby. I found myself taking copious notes with one hand, stirring batter with the other.

If you practice Lent, you know it is an intentional time of slowing. Time to make space for Jesus.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30 (ESV)

I cannot hoard time. I cannot slow the ticking clock, nor can I stop it.

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What I can do is slow myself and create space. Space for my Savior to increase as I decrease. More of Him. Less of me. This is the crux of Lent.

Lent is slowing myself and adding space to focus on Christ.

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Lent can be a time of nourishing.

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Nourishing may call for sacrifice. Sacrifice of that thing I hold tightly, most likely even justify. I can let it go, give it up, and be nourished.

Or, I can continue to hoard and hold it until weariness breaks me.

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I have found myself in both these places, the nourishing and the breaking. I have grown in both places.

I have heard the still small whisper, almost certain of that thing I need to release that He may increase. I have yet to say it out loud or share it with my Sweet Man. My story has taught me, if I am willing, if I yield to the letting go, the reward will be great.

I am curious to know if you practice Lent. Do you find the practice of decreasing that He may increase a place of nourishing and growth? You can let me know by commenting below or emailing me here.

“But the thing about apples is that we’re always biting off more than we can chew. It is hard to see which bites might nourish and which might cause us to choke.”

Erich Loechner from Chasing Slow

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Because it’s Friday my favorite day of the week, below I am sharing a few things I am loving right now:

This white tee shirt. If you know me at all, you know that I am forever searching for the perfect white tee. I have finally found it!

This Lent Devotional written by my sweet friend, Susan Shipe at hopehearthome.com You can pick your copy up here:

This podcast: https://christynockels.com/podcast/

This post: Living in the Fringes of Exile 

Gifts of Grace