This Lent, we are inviting you to offer your hearts over to the Holy Spirit to experience the transformation of His fiery love. In Set a Fire, we explore the themes of purification and transformation alongside Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, and through the love of the Father.
Meet the Writers
Our writers have brought these stories from their lives to the page, offering inspiration and encouragement on the journey for the rest of us.
We challenge you to pray with and consider this question as well: how has the Holy Spirit touched and transformed you?
The writers of the 2021 Lent devotional share their responses below!
Jenna Guizar // Founder & Creative Director of Blessed is She
It was a hot day in Phoenix, and I stepped outside to let the heat soak into my cold, air conditioned skin. I headed to Adoration and stepped foot in the chapel, the Blessed Sacrament poised as if He had been waiting just for me. I sat and soaked up His presence—my Lord and my God! I meditated on His peace and His love, and I couldn’t help but recognized the transformation happening inside of my soul. It was just like the AZ sun after sitting in the A/C all day long, how much I appreciated the Lord warming my stony and cold heart. And He does that again, every single moment of every single day. It’s not (always) a big, extravagant moment. It’s the little surrender to allow Him to warm us, to purify us, to transform us to look more and more like Him. Little surrender, bit by bit. That’s all this journey is.
Olivia Spears // Blog Manager & Writer for Blessed is She
Most of the Holy Spirit's movements in my life have been subtle and quiet. Consolation, Wisdom, and Courage are ways He often moves in my heart, inviting me to come closer to Him in order to better hear His voice.
But there have been moments in which the Holy Spirit has moved like a mighty wind rather than a whisper, and these moments of healing—physically, mentally, and emotionally—can only be described as Divine. He is my Advocate not only in my daily struggle against sin and for virtue, He is my Defender in the midst of my greatest storms. I want more of Him, every day.
Tricia Tembreull // Writer for Blessed is She
When I think of the Holy Spirit, memories of youth ministry retreats, parent retreats, and silent retreats fill my heart. Then there are the moments when I had to take a leap of faith and felt I fell onto the wings of the Holy Spirit as I jumped. The Holy Spirit is my counselor, my comforter, my encourager, and my motivator when I am resistant or complacent in my relationship with God.
When I look back at my life, I recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit every step and move I’ve made: big or small. When I look forward, I trust He is guiding the way. And when I am still and present to the moment, He is the wind that brushes my hair on my cheek.
Elise Howe // Writer for Blessed is She
I am certain I fail to notice all the countless, boundless ways the Spirit leads me each and every day. One particularly memorable moment was my first experience of Eucharistic adoration at a conference on the Vigil of Pentecost. That experience of the Spirit filling the room as I worshiped Jesus alongside many sisters and brothers in Christ was overwhelming. Life-altering. It both challenged and inspired me to really ponder what my faith meant, and to pursue the Lord in a new, more whole-hearted way. What a gift.
Mary Catherine Craige // Writer for Blessed is She
The Holy Spirit has brought me peace, life, and healing. This experience has been a transformation with my health and in so many aspects of my life that has brought me a deep sense of peace that, even if there are challenges, I am ok.
What a gift to have the presence and transformation of the Holy Spirit in our lives!
Sarah Ortiz // Writer for Blessed is She
I have most especially seen the Holy Spirit stretch, grow, and bring life to my heart in my relationship. If I hadn’t been inviting Him to enter and meld my heart to Christ’s, I would never be able to forgive those who have hurt me. Any damage that has happened at the hands of a human would have left me as just that: broken.
In trusting the Holy Spirit to move, I have found healing and growth.
Ginny Kubitz Moyer // Writer for Blessed is She
I love how the Holy Spirit is all about movement. In the Scriptures the Spirit is often shown as a dove, or wind, or a flame, dancing and moving and shaking things up. That's been true in my life, too. Over the past many years, the Spirit has led me down surprising paths, both personally and professionally. For example, an idea for a writing project that seemed crazy to me several years back has ended up bearing fruit in unexpected ways.
I've found that the Spirit is full of surprises and, if we're willing to play along, we're in for a wild and grace-filled ride.
Share Your Story?
Now we want to hear from you! Let us know in the comments how the Holy Spirit has transformed your heart and life.
And if you want to hear more of these women's stories and to pray alongside thousands of other women in the Holy Spirit this Lent, be sure to grab your copy of Set a Fire (or the Lent bundle!).
We can't wait to hear your story, and we can't wait to see what God writes with your life next.
The Heart Behind Our 2021 Lent Devotional #BISblog #bislent //Click to tweet
Nell O’Leary is the Managing Editor for Blessed is She, an attorney turned writer, speaker, and editor while tending to her husband and five kiddos. She also facilitates our community groups as she loves helping women find sisterhood. Her undergrad is in English from University of Minnesota and her J.D. from Ave Maria School of Law. Notably, she can down a hot cocoa in two seconds. Find out more about her here.
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