I’m not catholic, have never been. My best friend growing up was however … There was a lot of “up and down”, secret movements and splashing that I didn’t understand. And then there was the different “holidays” that seemed secret too, ashes on foreheads, 40 days leading up to Easter dinner and the new spring dress (such happy memories, but clearly not focused on a greater Love). It all seemed foreign and odd.

This journey with Love, pulls me daily to find more of Him, discover new traditions that call me into the deeper well of Understanding and Truth. So I started the journey this week of #40. 40 days of more…

Morehimlessme

There are a couple of things I’ve decided to “give up” during this pre-resurrection season, but what I’m realizing already is that it’s not about what I’ve given up, but how He back-fills the space left behind. See when I refuse to fill my spaces with stuff, junk, over-indulgence it allows more goodness to seep in, which allows more goodness to leak onto those around me.

More time
More generousity
More compassion
More forgiveness
More love
…Just more

Yesterday I spoke to a woman struggling to forgive her husband, but yearning for him too. Their relationship, their marriage, their future. She too had jumped into the water of 40 … What is she giving up for 40? Criticism. She’s decided to love him as a brother in Christ for 40 days. 40 days to love her husband the way God calls us to love (1John 4)

She said she hadn’t given him her best…

That was a moment. Through tears we watched as the Spirit back-filled the space left by her refusal of criticism with compassion and brotherly love for her husband. Lesshermorehim

As giving up sugar, caffeine, or retail shopping allows more resources to be more generous…. giving up sarcasism, criticism, gossip and anger leaves more space for compassion, love, kindness, gentleness and patience.

#lessmemorehim