Yes, I grew a beard in conjunction with Lent. I’ve avoided answering the questions 1) why are you growing a beard 2) when are you going to shave and 3) have you given up shaving for Lent. In part, because it’s hard (for me) to explain without getting mired down in a discussion about the development of Lent in the early years of the church, independent Christian church people celebrating the major seasons in the church year, and some small, insignificant chatter about the Industrial Revolution. I love having these kinds of conversations, but usually my inquirers have not signed up for this impromptu seminar class; and they tend to find the conversational excursion longer than expected.

Here’s why I did it and how it helped me focus on the story of Christ’s journey to death and resurrection.

• I don’t like beards, they irritate my face when they get too long and it bothers me. In an odd way, I hoped this constant irritation (much like a fast) would focus my attention on Jesus’ journey. It did.
• It’s a visual reminder that I’m forced to look at many times a day. I hoped this would continually turn my head toward Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and help me keep this in the front of my mind for the season. For the most part, it did. I didn’t have a spiritual moment every time I looked in the mirror, but it did flip my gaze back toward the right direction several times during the last six weeks.
• I wanted the same kind of visual reminder after Easter (the loss if the beard) that would help me focus on the resurrection. We’ll see how that goes.

I also spent my entire commute each day (about 75 minutes total) in silence. It was great. I’m still trying to unpack that one. More later.

For now, a few de-bearding pics. My favorite is the Fu-man-chu.