Lenten Gratitude

It's been just shy of 2 months since I graduated from Wheaton and moved back home.
In those two months I have:
-Had my first job interview
-Watched the original Star Wars (in order to properly prepare for seeing the new one... twice)
-Moved into the upstairs apartment above my parent's garage and "Lea-fied" it
-Watched 6.5 seasons of House
-Read the entire Harry Potter series (in about 2.5 weeks)
-Watched all of the Harry Potter movies (I kind of went on a Harry Potter binge after Alan Rickman died)
-Knitted three scarves and a computer sleeve
-Started running again-it's a process, since I haven't run regularly in like years, and haven't been physically active at all since my knee injury. But I'm working on it.
-Still not gotten a job

I knew it would be a process finding a job in the middle of the school year. I knew it would be nice to have some time off. I knew that eventually free time would get old. I didn't know how I would respond to it. And unfortunately, I've responded with complaining.

So as Lent approached, I thought about what, if anything, I wanted to give up. And I recalled a conversation I had with my small group last year-that Lent isn't about what we give up, but it's about how we're adding more Jesus into our lives. So this year, I'm keeping a daily gratitude journal during Lent (with the purpose of combatting complaining). This is something I've wanted to do since my RA year thanks to the wisdom of Dan Haase, my RD's husband, and have attempted at times since then, but I hope to actually stick to it this time. Gratitude during Lent seems fitting, as Lent is a time for preparation and reflection, especially on what Christ has done for us on the cross. I can't think of a better way to prepare my heart and soul for Easter than a daily reflection on gratitude. Most of the time I'll just write in my own journal, but occasionally I'll post it on my blog.

For now, I'll close with this Ash Wednesday prayer from the Common Book of Prayer:
Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have
made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily
lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission
and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.