Slow down ... it's Lent
Sister Catherine Grace on Thursday, February 25, 2010 at 9:55 PM With the strange weather we've had the past couple of years electrical outages aren't as rare as they used to be. When I read about rolling outages that many countries experience all the time, it helps me get a grip on my own perspective when we are "powerless".
For a couple of years we have taken Fridays in Lent as retreat days, and this year we added something new. We are fasting from personal use of electricity from dusk until Saturday morning. No lights, no computers, no phones. The furnace and freezers and fridges stay on, though. It's not the same as what so many people of the world suffer — if they have electricity at all.
But this is an amazing practice nonetheless. Sometimes I try to read by candlelight for awhile, but that doesn't usually last long. The old eyes aren't what they used to be. Mostly I just sit quietly and watch the darkening landscape.
The stillness is amazing. Even with the windows closed tight against the rain and snow, I can hear birds and the wind and coyotes. By 8:00 I drop into bed and just rest.
Somehow I think this is more like what our lives should be. So I'm turning off the computer. And the lights. And I'm going to bed. Peace.
Reader Comments (1)
Dear Sister Catherine Grace and Sisters,
When my children were small we had powere outages for "brown outs' fairly often and I discovered that I could do next to nothing except sweep the floor and read by candle light and sing! Even the gas stove had an electric pilot light! We seldom have them now, although the bad storms do affect the internet connections, especially on weekends when no one is available to fix them.
I have loed your photos and news about the Farm. May I introduce you to Bluegate Farm in Southern Iowa and Jill Beebout on Facebook. You will find many things in common, I'm sure, includinging photos and all sorts or ideas for a small farm and a dog named Blue. Jill and her husband Sean Are our CSA weekly vegetable producers. Jill also makes Jams and Jellies and Knits. Knot her Chiciken Hat--great for winter. More soon. Much love, Mary CC and David B