top of page
Search

SIMPLE40 - DAY 20 - Nunc Coepi


Reaching the halfway point of Lent is a beautiful moment to pause and gently assess where you are on this spiritual journey. Take a few quiet minutes to reflect. If you are not in the place you had hoped to be by now, do not be discouraged, nunc coepi...begin again.


Lent is not about perfection; it is about returning to Christ again and again. Through God’s mercy, grace, and prayer, you can stand back up and recommit yourself to the intentions you set at the beginning of this season. Every new moment is an invitation to start fresh.


Some questions to consider:

~ Am I advancing in my relationship and faithfulness to Christ?

~ Do I truly desire to grow in holiness in my daily life?

~ Am I making decisions that help me remain faithful to my Lenten commitments?

~ Where might the Lord be inviting me to simplify even more?


These past 20 days we have been focusing on several elements of interior simplicity:

OBEDIENCE

PRAYER

DISCIPLINE

HOLY SPIRIT

PEACE

INTERIOR CONVERSION

WONDER

REST


We still have a few more to explore before we begin talking about exterior simplicity. I am especially excited because one of my favorite topics to coach on is coming soon: discernment. But before we move there, I want to pause and thank you for walking this journey with me and for your desire to grow in the virtue of simplicity this Lent. My hope is that these reflections have encouraged you, stretched you a little, and helped you remain faithful to your Lenten sacrifices and commitments. Even small steps matter in the spiritual life.


As you have probably discovered by now, simplicity does not mean easy or carefree. Living a life of simplicity is more like building a cathedral than pitching a tent. It is sacred work that requires patience, steady effort, and deep trust in God’s grace. Brick by brick, choice by choice, the Lord helps you build something beautiful within your soul.


Be encouraged. God will give you all the grace you need for the present moment. Just show up, trust Him, ask for what you need, and keep moving forward.

Suscipe - one of my all time favorite prayers: Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess.

Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will.

Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me. ~St. Ignatius Loyola


Take some time today to review the Lenten commitments you made on Ash Wednesday. How are you doing? SIMPLE40 suggests the following: SPIRITUAL

SELF

  • 40 minutes of intentional movement daily

  • Grayscale your phone

  • Give up a little pleasure (coffee, sugar, snacking, etc)

  • Disarm your speech - See Pope Leo's Lenten Message

SERVICE


Did you download and print the SIMPLE40 Postcard to keep handy when you need a reminder to stay strong in your Lenten commitments? See below to print. It's not too late!


Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset. ~St. Francis de Sales

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SUNFLOWER Here at Integrated Life, you will see the sunflower often. The sunflower is a sign of hope, authenticity, and peace. In many ways, it beautifully represents what it means to live an integrated life with Christ at the center.


Botanists classify the sunflower as a composite flower. What appears to be a single bloom is actually made up of many tiny flowers clustered together in the center and surrounded by bright yellow petals. Each small flower has its own role, yet together they form one radiant whole.


This is a fitting image for the spiritual life. Living an integrated life means allowing the many parts of our lives...our faith, relationships, work, family, struggles, gifts, and growth...to come together in unity under Christ. When we keep Him at the center, what might otherwise feel scattered or disjointed becomes ordered and meaningful.


As we reach the halfway point of Lent, this image becomes especially powerful.


Perhaps your Lenten commitments have gone well. Perhaps they have not gone as you hoped. The good news of the spiritual life is this simple phrase:

Nunc coepi ~ “Now I begin again.”

Just as the sunflower continually turns toward the sun, we can always turn our hearts back toward Christ. The sunflower’s movement is guided by a process called phototropism, where the plant senses the light and gradually grows toward it. In the same way, our souls are made to seek the light.

Jesus reminds us:

I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ~John 8:12

So today, halfway to Easter, take a moment to pause and gently realign your heart. Release any discouragement or perfectionism that may have crept in along the way. Simply turn again toward the Light.


Like the sunflower that slowly follows the sun across the sky, allow your heart to turn once more toward Christ and His steady light.


Nunc coepi. Now I begin again. 🌻

simple recipe

Chicken Sausage and Veggie Sheetpan Dinner

We love a quick and easy "sheetpan" dinner. This is a great one that is very versatile in that you can use the veggies you have on hand and top with your favorite sauce.


Ingredients

6 Chicken sausages

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed

3-4 cups brussel sprouts, quartered

2 carrots scrubbed and sliced in 1/2 inch slices

2 Tbsp. avocado oil

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. black pepper

additional spices as desired


2 cups quinoa or rice, cooked in chicken stock

Sprouted pumpkin seeds, optional topping

Favorite sauce for topping


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Line baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper and put in the oven to preheat as well.

  2. Place prepared veggies in a bowl and add avocado oil and seasonings. Feel free to adjust seasoning and add any other flavors you love.

  3. Once the oven is preheated, add the veggies to the pan and bake for 20 minutes. Flip halfway if you remember!

  4. Cook Quinoa or rice as veggies cook.

  5. Add chicken sausage to veggies after the 20 minutes and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until everything is done. You can also slice the sausage before adding it to the tray.

  6. Place cooked quinoa in a serving bowl and top with the sausage, veggie mix and pumpkin seeds if you would like. Top with your favorite sauce or dressing. We like Honey Dijon Vinaigrette or a Creamy Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce. ENJOY!


Thank you for following along. Welcome to those of you who have just joined!


Please know I am praying for each and every one of you as we press on into this second half of Lent. Share with a friend if you think they would enjoy. The door is always open! SIMPLE40

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page