{"id":23420,"date":"2026-03-11T14:39:05","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T14:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/uncategorized\/writing-letters-for-lent\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T06:16:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T06:16:15","slug":"writing-letters-for-lent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpbookstore.org\/articles\/positive-living\/writing-letters-for-lent\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing Letters for Lent"},"content":{"rendered":"

I am terrible at giving things up for Lent<\/a>. I try sweets, but I don\u2019t really have a sweet tooth. I can\u2019t give up caffeine because I don\u2019t drink coffee. And during this stage of my life with young children, I don\u2019t do many things outside of the house that I can give up. So one year, I decided to take something on instead<\/a>: I pledged to send someone in my life a letter every day.<\/p>\n

Each morning, I would see who came to mind, such as my brother-in-law, a niece, and a college roommate. I prayed for them<\/a>, and then I wrote the letter<\/a>, loaded with memories, hopes, and\/or general life updates.<\/p>\n

As I poured into these pen-on-paper letters<\/a>, my heart began to swell. I found myself dwelling on the good memories<\/a> and moments in my life. What\u2019s more, my mailbox began to fill up! Even people I talked with through email took the time to write back on paper<\/a>, their letters creating kind of a holy space within our generally casual relationships.<\/p>\n

I couldn\u2019t keep up once Lent<\/a> ended, but the 40 days of intentional practice taught me more about the meaning of Lent<\/a>. And helped change my mindset. And These days, when I think of friends, I don\u2019t just wonder; I reach out<\/a> and wish them well and share my hope for joy in their lives.<\/p>\n

Excerpted from Walking in Grace<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

READ MORE ABOUT LENT:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n