Lent 2025

Mar 1, 2025

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Hey, friend!

As a real estate agent, I often receive “gifts” from sellers—things they no longer need as they prepare to move. One seller had an abundance of Lenten Roses (Helleborus orientalis) filling their yard, and I absolutely loved the sight of them. Imagine a yard completely covered in these blooms! Right now, I’m nurturing one little plant, though I originally had two—until the deer got to the other one. But this little survivor is blooming just in time for Ash Wednesday, and it feels like a meaningful reminder of the season.

If you’re unfamiliar with Lent, it’s the 40-day period leading up to Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 5 this year) and continuing until Maundy Thursday, which marks the Last Supper. In the church traditions I’ve experienced, Lent is often a time of self-denial, where we give up something as a spiritual discipline. The idea is that whenever we miss that thing, we turn our focus toward Christ and reflect on the price He paid for our souls—something far greater than any earthly sacrifice.

Are you giving up anything for Lent this year? In the past, I’ve given up fried foods, and one year it was Diet Sundrop—a decision that permanently changed my taste for it! But this year, I’m approaching Lent from a different perspective. Instead of giving something up, I’ll be writing personal notes to people who have impacted my life. A challenge like this feels meaningful, and I’d love to hear if you have a Lenten practice in mind, too.

If you’re looking for a book to read during Lent, Ann Voskamp’s latest release, Loved to Life: A 40-Day Pilgrimage with Love Himself That Will Change Your Life, is perfect. It takes you through the Gospel of John and would be a great companion for this season—but if you’re interested, you’ll want to grab a copy soon!

A Thought from My Bible Study

Right now, I’m working through Gideon by Priscilla Shirer, and we recently had a deep discussion on how many Christians view God as demanding, impatient, or intolerant of human weakness. How do these misconceptions form? And how do we combat them?

Sometimes, culture tries to reduce God to be more like us. Some people have only heard sermons that focus on God’s discipline rather than His compassion. But one of the most powerful ways to reshape our view of God is to meditate on His attributes and anchor our beliefs in scripture.

Each day, I’ve been journaling verses that highlight a specific attribute of God, praying through them and letting them transform my mindset. It’s a simple but powerful practice. If you follow my monthly Prayer Guide, you’ll see that this month’s focus is God is Eternal. I encourage you to explore even more scriptures on this attribute—Google, AI, or a Bible app can be great tools for finding additional verses. Not only does meditating on God’s nature strengthen our faith, but it also equips us to encourage others when they need truth and reassurance.

Book Update

I’m currently working on my book outline with my developmental editor, and let me tell you—writing a book is a process! We meet every couple of weeks, fitting it in between life’s priorities, but it’s exciting to see progress.

The book follows a house metaphor, which feels so fitting since Flint builds houses and I sell them! Once we refine the outline, I’ll move on to something really fun—the book cover. I have a few ideas, and of course, my cover will likely feature a house by the ocean. If you have a moment, I’d love your thoughts—which of these book covers below do you like best in terms of colors and fonts?

As We Enter This Season…

With Lent beginning and the Lenten Roses hinting at the arrival of spring, let’s take time to reflect on God’s eternal nature and draw closer to Him.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—are you participating in Lent this year? Do you have any special traditions or books you read? Let’s keep the conversation going!

Love,

Bonnie