And it seems like it came out of nowhere.

I have not been one to look forward to Great and Holy Lent; it is a time of hard work and abstinence. Not that these two things are bad, on the contrary they are the very essence of what is good and right.

Don''t get me wrong, I understand and appreciate the "reason for the season" as it were, and when Holy Lent is over I feel the pangs of regret that I must wait another full year to experience the services.

But as time passes the memories of the beauty and profound truth I experience fade; I begin to forget who I am, and what I am here for. Thankfully, each year I welcome Holy Lent with a little more fervor, and a little more love... and most importantly with a more complete memory.

A memory that is filled with the sights, sounds and smells of repentance, redemption and miracles. A memory that exists to remind me that I was meant to shine brighter than the stars; that my heart is an abyss deeper than any ocean and is filled with rooms and caves that have never been illumined by love and true understanding.

But in this season of contemplation and repentance I am given the light to fill these rooms, a light that dispels every dark fear and lie that threatens to destroy me utterly. In the radiance of this light I am made whole, beautiful and complete.

Great Lent comes, and once again I am saved.