What does an adventure look like for you?
Admittedly, I have never been a very adventurous person. I blame my anxiety. I do a lot better with pre-planned trips with lots of time to prepare the details, or just sticking with a routine. That doesn’t mean I don’t like going on adventures every now and then though. Life would be too boring otherwise.
Adventures look different for each person and also depend on personal circumstances. Right now, my idea of an adventure as a mom of 5 young kids is venturing out in public with all 5 kids by myself. Or if I’m lucky, my husband will be available to come with us.
My most challenging adventure has definitely been flying on an airplane with all 5 kids by myself last summer. And while it all worked out, I think that was a one-time thing for me. It was a little too adventurous if I’m honest.
But for others, an adventure might be more than just going out in public to run errands. It might even include a vacation to some place exotic, or a spontaneous day trip somewhere fun.
I consider my older sister to be a very adventurous person. She and I have been on several adventures together (one of my favorites was going out to Blockbuster in a tornado warning just so we could rent a few movies). She is an inspiration to me because even though she is a single mom, she still takes her kids to fun places and makes memories with them. Last December, she made a weekend trip up to New York so her kids could see the big Christmas tree in the city and go ice skating!
I wish I were that comfortable traveling with my kids, but I also realize that we are in different seasons of life. I still have young babies, and I have anxiety driving new places. We each have different standards for what qualifies as an adventure, and that’s okay.
Everyone is different, everyone’s circumstances are different, and that’s what makes each of us unique.
Relating Adventures to Lent
I can’t help but relate this idea with Lent because, it also looks different for each person and varies from year to year.
Each Lenten season, we should be willing to go on an adventure with Christ to grow more in our faith. The adventure might vary from person to person depending on each individual’s circumstances, but the end goal is still the same. We are all called to meet Christ on the road to Calvary, making sacrifices on the way. And on Easter Sunday, we are also called to run to the tomb (another mini adventure) and feel joyful when we find it empty.
Adventures often invite us to step out of our comfort zones to participate in new experiences. Lent does the same thing. We are called to become uncomfortable, much like Jesus would have been during His fasting period of 40 days in the desert. We are called to fast, give alms, and to pray.
While the general guidelines are the same for everyone, how they are followed are different for each person.
My Lent so Far
Life changes so quickly, and I constantly find myself in new places spiritually, physically, and mentally each Lenten Season. This year I am once again pregnant during Lent, and am not able to fast to the same extent I am when I am not pregnant. I also just felt unprepared (my word of the year this year should have been “behind”-ha!).
I have not dedicated myself to any particular program and I am still trying to figure out what I want to give up this season even though Lent started over a week ago. My Lenten adventure is off to a slow start, but that’s ok. I am just taking things one step at a time at my own pace.
Life has been crazy, and I have been struggling a little bit to keep up. But I do plan to try my best and show up in the desert regardless, even if my way of doing it looks different from someone else’s.
Make Lent an adventure this year!
If you are struggling this Lenten season, you’re not alone. If you still haven’t figure out exactly what you want to do, that’s ok too.
It’s important to remember that God calls each of us by our name. He wants to meet us where we are at. Jesus came and died for the sinner, for those who made/make mistakes. Go on an adventure with Him this Lent, however it works for you.
