Lent: What It Means To Me

One of my favorite hymns was written by Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. He was a member of a religious group known as the Shakers here in the USA. It is called Simple Gifts:

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

Refrain:
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn will be our delight,
'Til by turning, turning we come round right

Tis the gift to be loved and that love to return,
'Tis the gift to be taught and a richer gift to learn,
And when we expect of others what we try to live each day,
Then we'll all live together and we'll all learn to say,

Refrain

'Tis the gift to have friends and a true friend to be,
'Tis the gift to think of others not to only think of "me",
And when we hear what others really think and really feel,
Then we'll all live together with a love that is real.

This is what Lent means to me, to live a simpler, more comtemplative life. I find myself less stressed, and more in tune with the needs of others, as I put my needs aside. I spend more time in fellowship with God and His Word, and ponder the Love that is so great, His Son Jesus chose to sacrfice Himself for my sins. That is the greatest gift of all!