Mama Monday #47



This was an email from Margaret Feinberg (author and Bible study leader) last week after Easter, and I thought it was so good to consider how the season of Easter can be just as powerful as the season of Lent to lean into. 

"This week, I've been meditating on this incredible time in the church calendar—the 50-day journey leading up to Pentecost. There's something so special about this season of preparation.

 

Did you know that Pentecost was originally aligned with the ancient Feast of Weeks? This celebration came exactly 49 days (7 weeks + 1 day) after Passover and coincided with the first grain harvest of the season. (And the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai.) 

 

Now the Bible was written in an agrarian context where people were intimately aware of their dependence on God for every morsel of food. Those ancient farmers understood something we often forget in our modern conveniences—the profound reality of waiting on God's provision.

 

I believe this season invites us into a beautiful spiritual rhythm of:

  • Waiting - Attentive waiting for the Spirit to prompt and nudge
  • Dependence - Acknowledging our need for the Spirit
  • Prayer - Actively communicating with the One who comforts, counsels and leads
  • Expectation - Living with anticipation for what Holy Spirit  will do next

This 50-day preparation isn't just about marking time on a calendar—it's about realigning our hearts and becoming more aware of Holy Spirit's presence in our everyday lives.

 

 

And I'll be continuing these teachings twice a week until June 8 which marks Pentecost.

 

May we embrace this precious season in the church calendar together and awaken to the Spirit anew.

 

My challenge for you today is simple but profound. Begin praying throughout your day, "Holy Spirit, Increase My Awareness of You."

 

Then live expectantly for how the Spirit might answer." 

-Margaret Feinberg 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mama Monday #6

Image
  I read this last week, and it was just what I needed at one particular moment….  Maybe it’s just what you need today too. O God, empty me of angry judgments, and aching disappointments, and anxious trying, and breathe into me something like quietness and confidence, that the lion and the lamb in me may lie down together and be led by a trust as straightforward as a little child. Catch my pride and doubt off guard that, at least for the moment, I may sense your presence and your caring, and be surprised by a sudden joy rising in me now to sustain me in the coming then. —Ted Loder,  Guerrillas of Grace And then, Veronica and I read this today to begin our meeting, and it too hit the spot:  Psalm 13 For the director of music. A psalm of David. 1  How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?     How long will you hide your face from me? 2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts     and day after day have sorrow in my ...
Read more

Mama Monday #27

Image
  The Litany of Trust From the belief that I have to earn Your love... Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that I am unlovable...  Deliver me, Jesus. From the false security that I have what it takes... Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear that trusting you will leave me more destitute... Deliver me, Jesus. From all suspicion of your words and promises... Deliver me, Jesus. From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You... Deliver me, Jesus. From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will... Deliver me, Jesus. From anxiety about the future...  Deliver me, Jesus. From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past... Deliver me, Jesus. From restless self-seeking in the present moment... Deliver me, Jesus. From disbelief in Your love and presence...  Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of being asked to give more than I have... Deliver me, Jesus. From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth... Deliver me, Jes...
Read more