The newness of Lent has worn thin. We are in the thick of it now. The excitement I felt at the start has gone missing. Time to regroup and continue to press forward. It's easy to become discouraged but I'm no longer a Lenten rookie so I know if I carry on I will be grateful for my effort.
Fasting: I reminded the kids at the start of Lent that our meals would not be their favorites. That they would like some but not all of them. I told them that fasting isn't Cam and I's favorite meals either but it's what we do and we weren't going to complain.
The kids have done really well! I try to put at least one fruit on the dinner table. This year I bought applesauce and canned mandarin oranges (even though they are from China...which gave Cam a stroke). But, that little bit of sweet seems to make a difference. I told the kids that Lent is somber and yet there is a sweetness to it. Just like our meals! Also, the kids know they can have a PB&J any time instead of the offered dinner. But, so far nobody has chosen that.
I have enough recipes in my Lenten repertoire that cooking is much easier than it was years ago. Even with lots of recipes it's not our regular meals. To tell you the truth...the food gets bland...and boring...and old. But, I guess that's the point. I keep reminding myself to keep it simple. I naturally love to cook and I truly LOVE yummy food....but I have to constantly redirect my desires. Again, that's the point.
Services: We have a special Wednesday night service during Lent that we go to as a family. The first week of Lent we couldn't attend it so last week was our first one. To tell you the truth I wasn't wanting to go. It's really hard for me to leave the house after the kids all get home from school. I'm tired and my day feels done.....pj and slipper time. Cam was working later than usual so we opted to meet him at a parish closer to his work. I gathered up the kids...meaning frantically fed them, and hustled them into the van.
Once we arrived and I walked into the nave I was glad I had come. Standing in church with my family is one of my favorite things...albeit one of those things I forget that I like so much. It's like exercise....I like it once I do it! Going to church is exercise for my soul.
The pic above is so precious. Moses was feeling sleepy and he laid his head on Tuba's lap. Tuba was rubbing his head. Standing in church together is a great time for us to show affection to one another. It reminds us that we are there for each other. That we are connected.
Prayer: We say the Lord's Prayer together on the way to school each morning. Sometimes I add a few things that we are thankful for and sometimes I remind the kids to act with courage and love. We talk about ways kids can do that at school...things like comforting someone, stopping bullying, standing up for what they believe in. In the evening we pray together as a family. Truthfully...it often feels rushed and chaotic. It's the END of the day after all and we are all tired and Cam and I are anxious to see the kids off to bed. During Lent I've begun standing with my eyes closed. It helps me to focus...and not notice EVERY LITTLE THING going on around me.
I am working on letting some silence in. If I am home alone or in the car alone I am forcing myself to notice the view and sit with the silence. I spend some time saying the Jesus pray...Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me. It is very calming to soak in some silence.
That Let It Go Thing: I'm sure I am much better at reminding my kids...or Cam to Let It Go than I am at doing it myself. But, I have had a few successes this Lent. I tell myself that if I still feel annoyed/bothered/driven to comment after a few hours...or a night's sleep...then I can say it. But what do you know...most often I forget or it just doesn't seem as important anymore. So, a few small victories over my mouth are good. I'll persevere and continue to zip it/clamp it/stow it. After all...I am the example that my children are watching. Plus....it's good for me too.
Screen Time: The kids aren't having any video game time and very little screen time at all for Lent. They have watched a couple movies so far on the weekends. It has been AMAZING!!!! They did this amazing thing called.....PLAYING TOGETHER!!! On Saturday morning they were all building Legos together and then they went OUTSIDE to ride bikes at 9:00 am. Whoa!!! I am not going to give them back video games! Shhhhhh......don't tell them!
Cam and I are screen limited also. Facebook is such a temptation for me. I like to plop down when I'm tired and check out what my family and friends are doing. I had to delete the app off of my phone. ...that will help me not be tempted.
I'll leave you with this Kairos moment. I went for a walk with Mr. P the other night. God's creation is splendid!
Fasting: I reminded the kids at the start of Lent that our meals would not be their favorites. That they would like some but not all of them. I told them that fasting isn't Cam and I's favorite meals either but it's what we do and we weren't going to complain.
The kids have done really well! I try to put at least one fruit on the dinner table. This year I bought applesauce and canned mandarin oranges (even though they are from China...which gave Cam a stroke). But, that little bit of sweet seems to make a difference. I told the kids that Lent is somber and yet there is a sweetness to it. Just like our meals! Also, the kids know they can have a PB&J any time instead of the offered dinner. But, so far nobody has chosen that.
I have enough recipes in my Lenten repertoire that cooking is much easier than it was years ago. Even with lots of recipes it's not our regular meals. To tell you the truth...the food gets bland...and boring...and old. But, I guess that's the point. I keep reminding myself to keep it simple. I naturally love to cook and I truly LOVE yummy food....but I have to constantly redirect my desires. Again, that's the point.
Services: We have a special Wednesday night service during Lent that we go to as a family. The first week of Lent we couldn't attend it so last week was our first one. To tell you the truth I wasn't wanting to go. It's really hard for me to leave the house after the kids all get home from school. I'm tired and my day feels done.....pj and slipper time. Cam was working later than usual so we opted to meet him at a parish closer to his work. I gathered up the kids...meaning frantically fed them, and hustled them into the van.
Once we arrived and I walked into the nave I was glad I had come. Standing in church with my family is one of my favorite things...albeit one of those things I forget that I like so much. It's like exercise....I like it once I do it! Going to church is exercise for my soul.
The pic above is so precious. Moses was feeling sleepy and he laid his head on Tuba's lap. Tuba was rubbing his head. Standing in church together is a great time for us to show affection to one another. It reminds us that we are there for each other. That we are connected.
Prayer: We say the Lord's Prayer together on the way to school each morning. Sometimes I add a few things that we are thankful for and sometimes I remind the kids to act with courage and love. We talk about ways kids can do that at school...things like comforting someone, stopping bullying, standing up for what they believe in. In the evening we pray together as a family. Truthfully...it often feels rushed and chaotic. It's the END of the day after all and we are all tired and Cam and I are anxious to see the kids off to bed. During Lent I've begun standing with my eyes closed. It helps me to focus...and not notice EVERY LITTLE THING going on around me.
I am working on letting some silence in. If I am home alone or in the car alone I am forcing myself to notice the view and sit with the silence. I spend some time saying the Jesus pray...Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me. It is very calming to soak in some silence.
That Let It Go Thing: I'm sure I am much better at reminding my kids...or Cam to Let It Go than I am at doing it myself. But, I have had a few successes this Lent. I tell myself that if I still feel annoyed/bothered/driven to comment after a few hours...or a night's sleep...then I can say it. But what do you know...most often I forget or it just doesn't seem as important anymore. So, a few small victories over my mouth are good. I'll persevere and continue to zip it/clamp it/stow it. After all...I am the example that my children are watching. Plus....it's good for me too.
Screen Time: The kids aren't having any video game time and very little screen time at all for Lent. They have watched a couple movies so far on the weekends. It has been AMAZING!!!! They did this amazing thing called.....PLAYING TOGETHER!!! On Saturday morning they were all building Legos together and then they went OUTSIDE to ride bikes at 9:00 am. Whoa!!! I am not going to give them back video games! Shhhhhh......don't tell them!
Cam and I are screen limited also. Facebook is such a temptation for me. I like to plop down when I'm tired and check out what my family and friends are doing. I had to delete the app off of my phone. ...that will help me not be tempted.
I'll leave you with this Kairos moment. I went for a walk with Mr. P the other night. God's creation is splendid!
You're the Best Mom!!! Such a great example for your children and family! I love you! Love the photo of Tuba and Moses! Tuba is the sweetest!!!
ReplyDeleteFor me, the denial of things we take for granted is a way of showing the fortunate we DO have in our lives. Much of the world doesn't have a choice, yet lent allows us to do that - to choose. Thank you for posting this. and I will add my own daily prayer (if you will) "Thank you for my life. Thank you for our lives"
ReplyDeleteLOVED this post! You truly just inspired me!
ReplyDelete