teach us to care and not to care [a blog fast]

During the season of Lent I'm making the commitment to get quiet, really quiet here.  I've been blogging for something like six years and I'm feeling the need to put it down for awhile to process privately, maybe do some writing for another space, maybe take some naps.  Not sure.

We do celebrate off-days on Sabbath (which we happen to celebrate on Monday since Sunday in a pastor's house is not exactly restful) so you might see me occasionally.  I value the conversations so many of you have with me here and will look forward to celebrating our risen Jesus together come April!

Grace and peace,
Tamara

[photo credit:  Ann Voskamp, The Way of Light Wreath]

Some of my Lent posts from past years:

• Shattered Shalom:  the poem I wrote for a Lenten devotional
• Searching for Chometz:  what I learned from the Jewish celebration of Passover
• free Lenten resources:  shared last year
• Living and Dying Palm:  what my name has to do with Ash Wednesday
• Living and Dying Palm, part 2: the part where I talk about celebrating my 40th birthday on Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, 2011

Consequently I rejoice, having to construct something
Upon which to rejoice

And pray to God to have mercy upon us
And pray that I may forget
These matters that with myself I too much discuss
Too much explain
Because I do not hope to turn again
Let these words answer
For what is done, not to be done again
May the judgement not be too heavy upon us

Because these wings are no longer wings to fly
But merely vans to beat the air
The air which is now thoroughly small and dry
Smaller and dryer than the will
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still.

-- from T.S. Eliot's Ash Wednesday