Springing forward in Lent

Yesterday morning, those of us who remembered, woke up an hour earlier than accustomed due to the time change. Here is where we “spring forward” – thus loosing an hour of sleep.
Every year we do this. Every year I ask myself, “What’s the point?”
This morning, I woke up cranky and blamed it on the fact that I was trying to adjust to the time change and that critical hour of lost sleep. Like a slinky, I flopped out of bed and wondered what the point was. Feeling more than a bit cantankerous, other things came into play and I resisted making the bed – again, asking, what’s the point? All this got me thinking, so, really – what’s the point of me personally observing Lent? Pondering that particular aspect of the question and playing with words a bit, invited me to consider that the intentional observance of Lenten practices can, in a way, be seen as another type of "spring." It seems that perhaps these disciplines allow for some of the same functions that the mechanics of various kinds of springs hold forth. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia helped me learn something about springs. For example,
• A torsion spring stores energy.
• Some heavy trucks and railroad cars use coil springs which reduce concussion or shock from violent jolts.
• Torsion bars or leaf springs absorb stresses by twisting.
• The disk spring, which consists of a laminated series of convex disks, is widely employed for heavy loads.

Today, as this picture of a spring is framing my Lent intent, another question is forming – one that is encouraging me to be faithful to these practices. How might these disciplines that are becoming part of the rhythm of my days be a type of spring that will store energy, reduce shock, absorb stresses and keep me flexible, or help distribute heavy loads in the face of that persistent question, “What’s the point? “

The point is, by pondering this question, it seems there's a new bounce in my step -a firmer commitment - a resiliance to follow through with my Lent intent to be grateful. This evening, as the sun sets an hour later than it did last week, I’m choosing to be grateful – grateful for something that I know has a point – That which I know is true: God delights in his Honey Girl. He is the provider of much simple abundance. He is faithful. He knows. He cares.

When have you asked, “What’s the point?” If your Lenten practice could be compared to a spring, which type would you be looking for in answer to the question? And what might you be grateful for even when you miss the point?