Lent at the Foot of the Cross
“Pain and suffering have come into your life, but remember pain, sorrow, suffering are but the kiss of Jesus — a sign that you have come so close to Him that He can kiss you” (St. Teresa of Calcutta).
BOLD WOMEN: PRESENCE AND PASSION AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
Catholic Women in Business’ Lenten Theme
On reflecting on and discussing Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection, the Catholic Women in Business leadership team saw a common theme: women. In the New Testament, we read of bold women who encountered Jesus and were forever changed. These women boldly spoke to him, boldly loved him, and boldly took his message into their communities. This Lent, our writers will be exploring this theme in their articles. Share how you are carrying your cross boldly and passionately in our Facebook group!
As far back as I can remember, Lent has been a time where I have found myself crawling toward the foot of the cross. I don’t know why I’m surprised each year when the 40 days of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving roll around and I’m confronted with a new stressor or obstacle that life has thrown my way.
In 2019, just days before Lent began, my husband and I went to our eight-week ultrasound, only to find out that our baby’s heartbeat was too low. Over the course of the next few days, I went through the process of miscarrying our sweet babe in our home, and the days after can only be described as a physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining experience. I had a standard dilation and curettage (D&C) to stop the excessive bleeding, and three days later (Ash Wednesday), I was back at work. One month later, my co-workers and I found out we were going to be laid off. Good Friday was my last day.
This year, I’m 34 weeks pregnant, and I have an incredible job. While I am blessed and in awe of God’s constant faithfulness, I have found myself in another familiar place — at the foot of the cross. With stressors at work, the thought of sending two children to daycare full time, being on the verge of isolation because of COVID-19, and preparing for the birth of this child while maintaining my health, I know God is asking me to cling to the cross now more than ever.
Maybe the sacrifice and suffering is more apparent this time of year. Maybe it’s the one time of year I truly invite self-reflection on a deeper and more intense level. Regardless, I have found ways to embrace my suffering at the foot of the cross and allow Christ to truly transform my personal life, as well as my professional life.
See Ya, Social Media
I’m hyper-aware of the fact that social media can become an escape from reality. My productivity levels at work decrease the second I open one of my apps and scroll through content that adds zero value to my work. When I’m at home, I have every intention of being present for my family, but the second I start clicking through stories on Instagram, it becomes a black hole that leaves me feeling annoyed, frustrated, and judgmental of how others live their lives.
I removed social media from my day-to-day life during Lent, and it has allowed me to feel more in control of my life, especially during times of crisis, chaos, and stress about the unknown. I have tried replacing social media with things like daily readings, prayer, and more intentional time speaking with loved ones.
Add in “Positive Talk”
This one has been more challenging than I had realized. Griping, complaining, and venting over every little struggle or frustration that comes my way has become the new norm for me. It has taken over the way I deal with conflict and have rational conversations, and I let it control hours of my day. All it takes is one email to ruin my day, and before I’ve had a chance to digest what’s inside that email, I’m already complaining to my co-workers about how annoyed I am.
I wanted to transform the negativity into positivity and attempt to make each situation a new opportunity to grow. It has worked about 25% of the time, but I know God doesn’t want us to use Lent as a time to become perfect but to strive toward holiness and to struggle through our sins and our vices. Each time I find myself going down a negative path, I try to reset, get back on the path, and continue moving forward.
These are two tangible examples of how I can remove outside factors that keep me from focusing on what God is calling me to next. They allow me to truly remain present at the foot of the cross and remember that my suffering will never go in vain.
Colleen Godinez is a marketing copywriter for a mid-size membership organization in Kansas City. She graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in psychology and a minor in journalism and mass communication. In her spare time, she enjoys freelance writing and helping other organizations propel their brand. She has learned to appreciate the little things in life and soaks up every moment she can with her little girl and husband. Depending on the time of day, coffee and wine are her drinks of choice. You can follow her on Facebook or Instagram.