One Year

It all started with a podcast.

Two of my favorite authors and podcasters had a conversation, recorded it, and put it out into the online world last week. I listened. And as the conversation carried on, I found myself getting a fluttery feeling in my chest.

I could do it too.

I could pursue this thing they were talking about. I could spend one year parked on this idea, putting pieces of it into practice, seeing how my family responded. And writing about our journey.

One year. A small stretch of time… yet also a long stretch of time.

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I just looked at my calendar. Then I looked at my blog archives. And got goosebumps.

One year ago today I published my first post in this space.

It was nothing more than a “Coming soon!” post, a placeholder until the day I would fully launch in January. Likely unseen by anyone but me. But it was my first post, my first step toward a goal I’d been dreaming up.

One year. A small stretch of time… yet also a long stretch of time.

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So what is this one-year idea I have now? To work my way through the liturgical calendar.

Don’t click away just yet because that sounds “boring” to you. Hear me out on this.

Rhythms are life-giving to us. Think about how your year may be structured around the seasons. You spend your time differently based on whether it’s summer or it’s winter. Or if you have kids in school, your life is structured around the school and sports calendars.

While some of you might thrive on spontaneity, you also likely crave some routine and rhythm in life.

Do you have traditions in your family for Thanksgiving? Easter? The 4th of July (U.S. friends)? Do you do a countdown to Christmas with your kids? An Advent calendar? You likely do similar things every year for various holidays.

The liturgical calendar is something I’ve known a little bit about (Advent, Lent, etc) but want to know more. It involves feasting and fasting, joy and contemplation. And I think it will be a great way to grow my faith, as well as helping my kids grow in theirs. We’re not Catholic or Anglican, but I think even Protestants can learn something from these ancient traditions.

The key for me, and what I hope will be an encouragement to you, is looking at how to keep it SIMPLE. I can search Pinterest for ways to celebrate these days and seasons with beautiful crafts and delicious meals, but instead of adding more to my already-full plate, I want to simply weave small pieces into our lives.

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One year. I can commit to that, right? I started this blog one year ago today, thinking “I’ll give it a try for one year. What’s the worst that can happen? I don’t stick with it, and just let my website hosting expire after that one year.” Well, here I am, website renewed, stuck with it for at least another year. 🙂

The liturgical calendar starts with Advent, which this year (2018) begins on December 2. Will you come along for the ride?

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(In case you’re curious, this is the podcast I listened to last week that kicked all of this off for me. And it’s actually the beginning of a three-part series. I can’t wait to hear what they have to say this week and next!)

*Photo also from here.