March Update From Sacred & Secular
Calm on the surface: the hidden work of Lent
Dear friends,
Welcome to the latest monthly update from Sacred & Secular.
This month has been especially encouraging. I have been both humbled and amazed by how many people have chosen to support this work. We have grown our subscriber base, both free and paid, and I am deeply grateful. Your support enables me to focus on writing each day, which still feels like something of a gift.
As a reminder, free subscribers receive at least one article a week, usually on Sundays. Paid subscribers receive a daily reflection, along with access to the full archive, which is growing quickly.
This is the first time I have written Sacred & Secular through Lent, and it has felt particularly meaningful. Writing daily during this season has become a kind of spiritual discipline for me. I am always grateful when you take the time to write and say a reflection has resonated. They are shaping me as much as, I hope, they are helping you.
Some of the topics this month have been personally challenging to write about, particularly a recent reflection on forgiveness that stayed with me longer than I expected. I did wonder whether to soften it, but in the end decided to leave it as it was. Lent is not always a comfortable season. Sometimes it invites us to sit with things we would rather move past.
My hope for these reflections is simple. That they might offer a small space in your day to pause, make a cup of something, and reconnect with God.
I am also beginning to find a rhythm in the writing. Saturdays tend to be quieter and more reflective. Sunday’s free article is usually longer and focuses on a particular theme. During the week, I include a Tuesday reflection on the lectionary readings, which some of you have said you find helpful. Even if you do not follow the lectionary, I try to ensure these reflections still speak more broadly. The rest of the week is a mixture, and I have found I genuinely enjoy writing each part.
I would love to hear from you. Is there a topic you would like me to explore? Has something particularly resonated, or perhaps something that could have been better?
I am also especially interested in feedback on the voiceover feature. If you have not noticed it, you can now listen to the reflections at the top of each article. It has taken some getting used to, and my dogs occasionally make an appearance, whether invited or not.
Thank you for being part of this community.
Lent has a way of working beneath the surface, even when we cannot see it. My prayer is that you go gently as we approach Easter.
Paul