The roads are still radiating waves of heat here in Far North Queensland, but just weeks ago Ray, Willa, and I were snuggled up in layers upon layers of clothing going everywhere shaking up those magical Hot Hands. Our lightening quick trip to the US to see cousins and grandparents felt as ephemeral as the wild snow storm we witnessed on our last evening. Now that we’re back and settled into normal life, it feels as though the whole thing may have been a dream.

As we head into a new Lenten season this week, I’ve been contemplating the fleeting passage of time, the darkness of winter, and the mystery of death. On our way from my family in Virginia to Brian’s family in Delaware, we were able to spend some time at Arlington Cemetery where the girls’ great grandfather is buried. We wandered a bit and saw some of the gravestones from the Civil War. We made it over to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the changing of the guard and just up to the Eternal Flame at Kennedy’s grave. Far below on one of the winding roads through the cemetery we watched a solemn procession of soldiers and mourners make their way to a freshly opened grave. Who was that person? Were they old or young? A man or a woman? What was their story and how will they be remembered?

Lent and winter go hand in hand for me. In both we see and feel and embrace the darkness. The cold. The stark reality of man’s separation from God through death. But then comes the resurrection and the springtime where all is renewed and made whole. All the sorrow is undone and the healing begins. I both love and fear Lent. It’s not an easy tradition to observe and it brings to the surface some very deep carnal fears. But in choosing to do that, Easter is made that much holier and valuable. Without the horrors of Holy Week and the cross we can’t begin to understand the joy and hope of Easter morning. If you are engaging with Lent this year for the first time, or if you’re engaging for the fiftieth, I pray the Lord would be near to you in his comfort as he reveals hard truths.

If you’re looking for some guidance on how you could observe Lent, click the link to find more information about Hannah’s book: The Sacred Sacrifice.