Happy Easter

Lent is officially over! Woohoo! So what did I learn from all this vegan exploration and self denial?

I can get grumpy when I have to give up some control and pleasure. I had to consciously make myself move on from the temptation to be crabby.

It was easier for my husband, but as time went on, he realized other things that might be an issue, as did I.

I learned to think about other things and not dwell on whether I might be fat or not. Even though I was not eating meat, dairy or eggs, I was the closest to not worrying about my food that I have been since childhood.

God wants to do bigger and better things in all of our lives, but we have to invite Him to do it.

I can let God help me with everything. Including what to do when the kids put shaving cream, cereal, sand or legos everywhere.

That forty days is both long and short depending on what you are up to.

Finally, that Easter is an amazing expression of product delivery. Jesus said no one and nothing would keep Him from bring us closer to the Father. Nothing could take His life unless He chose to give it. And it didn't. The same God who parted the sea, tamed lions and gave sight to the blind sent His spirit, His Son, a human form, named Jesus, to help us get through whatever wears us down. He is a God of grace. So no matter how hard I or anyone else tries to be good, no matter how many omelettes I skip, I still won't be able to rise above all of life's down and dirty fastballs without some major back up. That's where that grace comes in. Try as I might to get it all right, I won't. I'll get tired, grumpy, discouraged or angry. And when I do, God can cover the rest and make me more than enough for whatever situation I'm in. If I let Him.

Now that Lent is over, I'm hesitant to embrace the things that made me more mindful. I am thinking of a new way to keep focused.

If you've got something that really works in your life, I'd love to hear it. I can be reached at dlacker@hotmail.com

May the joy of Spring be yours!