This Week from Caitlyn

Dear friends in Christ, 

I failed at Lent this year. Or, at least it seemed like it.

I chose what I thought would be good and edifying Lenten practices, and they would have been if I could have kept it up. If I'm honest, many of us usually "fail" at Lent. There is grace in the failing and trying again. But this year in particular I sensed the struggle. I'm still craving more of that intentional God time. And so I'm taking on an Eastertide practice instead. 

I find that often our Lenten practices are very solitary or inward focused. I know mine usually are. I cherish that Lenten time. But this season I'm taking on joy practices. How will I open my heart up to the joys of Easter? How will I be grateful to God for the mercies I see? What can I do to fill my soul with a sense of God's grace?

How do you practice joy?

This Sunday in our Gospel we will hear Jesus describe a flock of sheep and the voice of God who calls every lamb by name. And the sheep know his voice.

God is always calling us, calling us by name, into greener pastures. Into life abundant. Into more and more grace. And Jesus says he is the gate we pass through to get there. The gateway to God's grace, if we would follow that familiar voice to go. 

How might you practice joy this week? Come. Pass through the doors and come to the green pastures of community, praise, grace, fellowship, and really good potlucks. Practice Easter joy and come. 

Joyfully, 

Caitlyn+