I didn’t give up anything for Lent this year. Or maybe I gave up a lot. With Covid restrictions still largely in place, I share this sentiment, articulated by Andy Crouch: “Honestly, I hadn’t planned on giving up quite this much for Lent.”

All of our lives have been transformed by the pandemic. Even if you’re not the type to observe Lent, you’re probably finding yourself looking forward to the joy of Easter with greater anticipation this year. But first we have to deal with the darkness. Toward that end, I found this article helpful and fascinating. Historian Lisa Deam walks through pilgrimages of medieval Christians and unpacks what they can teach us as we deal with what she calls a “Double Lent.”

As we navigate this trying time, I think we could all use a little extra help. Check out our resource on building Energy & Enthusiasm. It’s a guide for establishing healthy boundaries and practices to keep you fresh and promote faithfulness for the long haul.