This is late. I intended to end my Lenten journey with a post sharing my experience but I had no words. This year was very different than last. I wrote several posts easily during my Lenten journey last year, but posts have been few this time around because words have been few.

I hoped to end my Lenten journey in a better place, my heart fuller and faith firmer. Part of the reason I observed Lent again this year was to re-center but I’ve felt disoriented and out of sorts.

I’ve been really lost only one time. I was with my mom, younger sister, and nephew in the woods near our home. It was early fall but still hot and humid. We continued our exploration through the woods too long and were surrounded by all things unfamiliar. The thick green woods engulfed us. We needed only to find the occasionally used railroad tracks then we could find our way. That’s what we hoped. We found the tracks, but were so lost we were unsure of which way to walk to get to something we recognized. We guessed, and hours later we saw the familiar wooden bridge built above the tracks in the distance. Parched and exhausted, we made our way to my aunt’s house to call someone to take us home.

My Lenten season felt similar. It seemed a wild and long one. I was weary and I’m weary still. And thirsty.

But water is much more refreshing when we’re really thirsty.

Maybe I’m not as disoriented as I feel and I’m exactly where I should be.

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;
and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
    and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
    and delight yourselves in rich food.    Isaiah 55:1-2

Photo by Artem Bali on Unsplash