Okay here it is the first day of Lent and it is required that I do something for Lent, either fast or some other “penance” for the next forty days. After thinking about it I have decided on exactly what I will try to do.

It won’t be fasting since I am already on a diet after having been recently diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic. So I already have given up all the foods I love. And since I already live a pretty simple life there really isn’t any one thing I can cut down on. So my idea will be to write at least 500 words each day of Lent. I am guessing this should put me back into writing mode, which I haven’t been in lately. Like anything once you get out of the habit of doing something, it is hard to get back into it, you know, like exercising. (Yes, I have started that again as well, I’ll show that doctor I can get off the Diabetes meds.) And since I have always felt that God has been calling me to write about different things, like the story of my journey back to Him and all the things I have learned along the way.

Whether this means I will post something every day or not I am not sure yet. Of course if I don’t post something that people can see each day then who knows if I am writing? Well He knows. At one time I have several outlets for my writing, but they have all kind of fallen by the wayside, but I will think of something. Maybe I will get back to the book I have started and stopped about thirty times. Let me tell you about the time I fell off the back of a truck….

One thing is definitely true, and that is I have simplified my life considerably over the last year. I sold the little house on the lake and moved into a small apartment with my better half (soon to be official), downsized to one vehicle and pretty much decided to follow the advice of Jesus to life a simple life. By doing so I have removed 90% of the stress from my life. It’s funny how when you don’t have all kinds of material things to worry about that stress just melts away. When you don’t have to worry about things you can’t control, stress goes out the door. When you trust in the Lord to guide you (now I didn’t say take care of you, just to guide you) you will be surprised how you will be filled with an inner peace and know that no matter what happens you will be okay.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” – Mt 6:25

“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” – Mt 6:34

Two verses from the same paragraph that pretty much explain it all, at least my philosophy on life. Take it one day at time, listen to what God is trying to tell you, and you will be surprised at how things will work out. Sometime during the next 40 days I will discuss this further but for now I have over-written my 500 words.