Two Weeks Update - Lent Journal (27/40)

Well, here we are two weeks in - still maintaining distance. I know we're all in the same boat, but since it's late (as always) I wanted to jot down some rough thoughts from the past week, my personal experience.

You know, on the one hand I am so grateful we have the Internet and our technology to enable us to isolate. On the other, I am so glad for this weekend and an opportunity to get away from my computer. Between work, the blog, reading the news, and video chats, I don't know that I've spent so much time starting at screens. I badly need to get away and give my eyes a break.

Yesterday I moved my patio table and chairs to my front lawn - am currently growing sweet potato slips in jars. No idea if they will work out, but I wanted to give it a shot. I planted the rest of my garden this week on Tuesday: beets, radishes, spinach, beans, carrots, lettuce, and strawberries. With Spring finally arriving, I've been going on daily walks and taking in the falling cherry blossoms, getting out and enjoying the beautiful Atlanta weather (if you ignore the pollen count). Windows have been open during the day, and the fresh air has been so refreshing.

There have been plenty of opportunities for prayer recently. I mentioned this before, but my girlfriend and I have been praying daily Rosary in the morning at 7:30am; Angelus at noon; and Divine Mercy Chaplet (with a group) at 3pm. I've also been generally keeping up with daily scripture reading. We're up to Tobit, Second Isaiah, and the Gospel of Mark. Two thirds through reading the Bible "in a year" (which I've been working on for about 2-1/2 years).

Early this week I was working through Lamentations, Jeremiah describing the Babylonian Exile, and the Passion narrative in Matthew's gospel - so many parallels with today's circumstances. In the meantime Sam and Frodo were entering Cirith Ungol and approaching Shelob's lair. I told my girlfriend - I need something positive and uplifting to read.

This week, and especially today, I've been missing human contact. While video chatting is nice at helping maintain connections, you just can't look eye-to-eye because of the location of the camera. Beyond that, there is just a certain dimension that is missing, and I'm really starting to ache for physical touch.

You know what, though? That's a good thing. I would be sorely disappointed if I found myself entirely comfortable with being alone. Having a longing and recognizing a lack are the healthy response to reality - we aren't supposed to find our hearts satisfied easily, because they hunger for greater things. So I am encouraged by the fact that I want more, and better, even as I trust God in the solitude and try to offer it to Him as a sacrifice.

Off to bed now, and off of technology for a bit (though I'll still be blogging and video chatting). Time to get in touch with the simplicity and beauty of reality again.