Day 1 (Ash Wednesday)

Found it a bit easier than I expected to start today; which is promising. Day started

well with a chance to listen to the Jesuit podcast 'pray as you go', which provides

daily meditations, as I drove to Bristol on work. It dwelt on the need for penitence

and also delighted in God's merciful desire to forgive - it felt a good start to this

time. Working in a Bristol office gave time to enjoy coffee & cake so the lack of

chocolate & alcohol was hardly tested, but I was pleased to be able to avoid

swearing so far today (must be grace). Both the

latter two will be tested further later as I watch

football (Barcelona vs Liverpool). But this Lent

observance feels the right thing to do.

Day 2 (Feast of the Chair of St Peter)

I accidentally slipped up first thing this morning

(how bad is that after just 1 day)! The alarm clock

fell off the bedside table as I was just waking up &

I mumbled the B....y H..l phrase almost before I

realised what I was doing. Shame - but a chance

to confess & know forgiveness to continue early

on I guess. The PAYG podcast this morning was about reflecting on Matthew's

recollection of Peter's confession of the Christ and Jesus' declaration about Peter

as the rock of the church. It led me to reflecting on the need for me to have firm

foundations for what I believe is critical in every aspect of my life (church, work &

home); but also how truth can be drawn forth through questioning. Finally I also saw

a picture of fresh new soil/earth - I feel its a time to reconsider my foundations.

Day 3 (Friday)

My main feeling today is of tiredness. However, that is probably due to playing

badminton yesterday afternoon & this morning. One good point is that I managed to

not swear during both these matches - even though at times my standard of play

was shockingly bad. However, it did leave me feeling old & tired for the rest of the

day! I don't remember much about this morning's PAYG podcast, it used the

scripture about the true fast that God intends (to loose the yoke of injustice & feed

the poor etc). It got me thinking for a while if I was really doing anything positive to

help others in this Lenten experience and how I should get involved more; needs

some consideration as I already fit in what I feel I can take on. Feeling worn down

now in the evening and beginning for the first time to miss alcohol. I guess the cost

will be felt more over the time.

Day 4 (Saturday)

A nice lie-in this morning. Not getting up until 9:30; nice! However, with shopping

and everything to sort I've not had time to look at the scripture today or listen to a

podcast. Perhaps later... I have seen some interesting lenten resources online

though, including a guide to journalling during Lent (at explorefaith.org); perhaps

next week I'll try those questions as a prompt to this journey. Anyway, I did not get

around to anything else spiritual later in the day (just watching telly with the family -

a break from the spirituality stuff for at least a day - which is nice; lol).