The Collage Podcast

Episode: Exploring the Meaning of Lent

Host: Feed My Sheep (Temple, TX)
Date: February 25, 2026
Guests: Nancy Glover

Overview

In this episode, the Collage Podcast dives into the significance of Lent within the Christian tradition, its origins, and how it can be approached as a season of reflection, community engagement, and kindness—regardless of one’s denomination or beliefs. The conversation centers around a new community-wide Lent initiative led by Feed My Sheep, inviting listeners to join 46 days of daily acts of sacrifice, kindness, and reflection. The episode is marked by warmth, storytelling, and a genuine invitation to participate in creating positive change.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is Lent?

[00:00–03:30]

• The hosts demystify Lent, clarifying it’s much more than a denominational ritual:
  • Nancy: “It’s not a specific denominational practice... it’s really more of just an opportunity for us to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus and everything that he did for our salvation.” (02:23)
• Lent is part of the church’s liturgical calendar, starting on Ash Wednesday and leading up to Easter.
• The season’s purpose: to remind us of our mortality and the hope of resurrection.

2. The Liturgical Calendar and Lent’s Timeline

[03:28–05:41]

• Liturgical calendar defined as the church’s spiritual schedule (Advent, Lent, Ordinary Time, etc.)
• Lent lasts about 46 days before Easter, starting with Ash Wednesday—a day marking our humanity (“from dust you were made and from dust you shall return”).
• The day before (Shrove Tuesday/Fat Tuesday, aka Mardi Gras) is traditionally celebrated with feasting before the fasting of Lent begins.

3. Traditional Lenten Practices

[07:39–10:53]

• Giving something up (e.g., chocolate, caffeine) as a small sacrifice parallel to Christ’s own.
• Adding spiritual practice (e.g., daily devotion, charity work).
• Sundays are sometimes “breaks” in certain traditions, but this isn’t universally practiced.
• Lent is likened to a season for transformation and New Year’s resolution but tied to spiritual growth and community.

4. Feed My Sheep’s Community-Wide Lent Activity

[10:53–18:09]

• Three traditional pillars: Prayer, fasting, almsgiving.
• Nancy: “Each day we would post something for folks to participate in as a community that relate to one of those three activities.” (10:53)
  • Examples:
    • Prayer for specific community needs/people/programs.
    • Acts of fasting, such as giving up a meal and sharing that meal with someone in need.
    • Acts of kindness/almsgiving, like paying for someone’s coffee or volunteering lunch hour to serve others.
• Memorable quote: “There would be a challenge posted in the morning... everyone would know that the things they’re doing, they’re not doing alone, but with the rest of the community. And always just being mindful of the sacrifice of Jesus in the process.” – Nancy (13:08)

5. The Ripple Effect of Small Acts

[15:22–24:36]

• The hosts share the “pay it forward” idea—acts like paying for the car behind you in a drive-thru:
  • A: “The activity is not... put the spotlight on me... you have left. And we would... let them know that they are cared about, they are known.” (16:30)
  • B: “And then I’d want to pass on the love to the next person behind me.” (17:19)
• Simple, collective acts have exponential impact: “Imagine how quickly you could positively impact a community...” (18:12)

6. Other Sample Activities

[21:20–24:36]

• Finding beauty: Pause to watch the sunset, reflecting quietly.
• Praying for the homeless: Coordinated community prayer efforts.
• Acts of reconciliation: Contacting estranged friends/family, offering forgiveness.
• Expressing care: Calling loved ones or reaching out with simple acts of kindness.

7. Personal Stories & Impact

[24:36–34:55]

• A shares moving personal stories—delivering anonymous flowers to a lonely woman in a nursing home and sending a note of affirmation to a local store worker.
  • “She was smiling ear to ear... See, I told you my daughter wouldn’t forget about me this year, she got me flowers.” (27:11)
  • “She still had the letter... she was just so happy to have heard that, because she was disappointed in herself and didn’t think she was being a good mom.” (33:11)
• These stories illustrate the deep and lasting impact small gestures can make.

8. Connecting Lent to Broader Spiritual Lessons

[34:55–38:26]

• Nancy draws connections to biblical healing stories—Jesus opening eyes and ears, bringing understanding and forgiveness.
  • “Sometimes the one person that we need to forgive the most is ourselves.” (36:40)
• Emphasis on being present, aware, and attuned to the needs of others.

9. Invitation to Participate and Practical Details

[41:04–47:55]

• How to join:
  • Follow the Feed My Sheep Temple Facebook & Instagram, where daily activities will be posted by 6:00am.
  • All are encouraged (but not required) to share stories and photos in the comments to build community.
• Sample upcoming activity: Search for and share a photo of the rare pink or white bluebonnets in Temple—a reminder to seek and appreciate overlooked beauty.
  • A: “You will see what you are looking for, and you will not see what you do not look for or do not want to see.” (46:58)

10. Vision and Closing Thoughts

[47:59–End]

• The hosts reiterate: the goal isn’t conversion or church growth, but fostering community and selfless giving.
• A: “The reason we even do this... is just to let everybody know and to acknowledge the simple truth... people matter. You matter.” (49:39)
• Exponential effect: “It began with one.” The math of “pay it forward”—small acts multiplying into community transformation (51:13).
• B: “Please pray for our Lenten challenge time... that it be fruitful and impactful for a lot of people.” (49:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Defining Ash Wednesday:
  A: “From dust you were made and from dust you shall return... a reminder of our own mortality.” (05:41)

• On Sacrifice:
  A: “You either sacrifice something you want to give up, sort of like a New Year’s resolution, but then you have this time.” (07:55)

• On Community Kindness:
  A: “Imagine... a thousand other people are going to go out in Temple Texas and do this to show kindness to other people.” (18:12)

• On the Power of Small Gestures:
  A: “You are cared about, you are seen, and you are truly loved.” (17:07)

• On Forgiveness:
  B: “Sometimes the one person that we need to forgive the most is ourselves.” (36:40)

• On the Philosophy Behind the Activity:
  A: “You will see what you are looking for, and you will not see what you do not look for or do not want to see.” (46:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] – Introduction & setting the table for “what is Lent?”
• [02:23] – Nancy: on Lent’s meaning beyond denominations
• [03:28] – Explaining the liturgical calendar and Lent’s place in it
• [05:41] – Ash Wednesday meaning and ritual
• [07:39] – Traditions around Lent: giving up or adding practices
• [10:53] – Community-wide Lent activity announcement and structure
• [13:47] – The daily challenge rollout and concept
• [16:30] – Example: “Pay it forward” in the drive-thru
• [21:20] – Sample activities: from watching sunsets to making phone calls
• [24:36–34:55] – Personal impact stories: nursing home flowers, affirmation letter
• [34:55] – Connecting Lent to spiritual healing and self-reflection
• [41:04] – How to join and participate (Facebook, Instagram, website)
• [44:18] – The pink bluebonnets and overlooked beauty
• [46:58] – “You will see what you are looking for” – core message
• [47:59] – Vision for multiplying community kindness
• [49:39] – Final reminders: “You matter,” the power of communal action

How to Get Involved

• Follow Feed My Sheep Temple on Facebook and Instagram.
• Each day, check the page for the new suggested act of kindness/reflective challenge.
• (Optional) Share your experiences and/or photos in the comments for collective encouragement.

Final Emphasis

This episode champions the idea that Lent is less about religious legalism and more about intentional kindness, spiritual reflection, and community transformation. Regardless of faith background, all are invited to participate—each small act, multiplied, can profoundly impact an entire community. As the hosts say, “People matter. You matter. This Lent experience is another way to show people they matter and to show you you matter and being part of the community and being part of the change.” (49:39)