Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:17
It is Spirit Week at Jocelyn’s school. Each day, they wear something different to celebrate the life of Dr. Seuss and the joy of reading.
But I’m exhausted. Over school vacation week last week we went away twice: once up north for winter fun with friends, and once down south for Cape Cod’s early St. Patrick’s Day parade with family. I hate to complain because we all had so much fun, but between all the late nights, packing and unpacking, my tank is on empty. The nail in the coffin was the piles and piles of laundry that I had to lug to the laundromat because my dryer is broken.
Needless to say, I haven’t invested an ounce of time or energy into honoring Lent. In this new “surrender” phase I’m in of trying to do less and “be” more, I was actually contemplating taking a pass on Lent this year. I was justifying that idea with all kinds of excuses. I was praying to be refilled and rejuvenated, asking God to inspire me to rally. When that didn’t happen, I was calling that a sign that it was okay to blow it off.
Really?!!! With Lent and Easter being the corner stones of our faith, I was trying to get away with skipping it this year just because I’m tired?
Spirit Week was the wake-up call I needed. Watching all those kids and teachers have so much fun, I realized I had it all backwards. The fun didn’t inspire Spirit Week; Spirit Week created the fun. It was all the kids and staff taking action: donning the crazy hats and accessories that created the buzz, not the other way around.
A bolt of lightening is not going to come out of the sky to kick-start my Lenten traditions; it’s the carrying out of those traditions that will kick-starts things. Like the expressions go, “Just Do It” and “Build it and they will come.”
So today is my day to take action. I’ll go out and buy pretzels to bake, and play-dough for my kids to make crowns of thorns. I’ll start reading aloud from our daily reflection book while my kids color their 40 day maps. I’ll decorate the house with the Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter figurine sets to reminder us of all Jesus did for us.
When my kids come home from school today we’ll Bury The Alleluia and box up the toys they’re going to give up for Lent. In place of Friday playdates we’ll do our at-home Stations of The Cross , watch Holy Heroes videos, and go to Adoration together. We’ll also read aloud from our favorite Easter stories, and maybe go on the hunt for some more.
The mere doing of all this will keep us focused on the meaning of Lent and Easter. Moreover, in the doing, we will draw closer together, and closer to God. There is no better way to be blessed and renewed!
Questions For Reflection:
* What do I think comes first: the inspiration or the action?
* What Lenten traditions do I typically do with my family?
* Am I happy with those traditions?
* Are there any traditions I want to let go of and/or add?
If you have any Lenten traditions that you’d like to share with other readers,please feel free to do so in the comment section below.
Shifting My Perspective 
Thank you, Claire for all the links to these resources! I will be implementing some at home. It’s not too late, right?! If not for you, I would have never heard of these. God has placed you in my life to bring me and my family closer to Him. you are a disciple for Christ.
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Wow Sandra! Your comment has humbled me, and touched me deeply. Although I don’t feel worthy, and most times I’m just referring and/or copying other Godly women, I can’t imagine a better compliment than to be called a “disciple for Christ.” Thank you for that! And as far as being late, I firmly believe it’s never too late in God’s book. P.S. – The crown of thorns (and removing a thorn every time they do a good deed) and the reflection book have been the two greatest tools I’ve found to help my kids understand Lent and the purpose of our faith. If you only implement those two, you’ll be good to go 🙂
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I second Sandra’s comments. You truly are a disciple of Christ, Claire. You do the hard work of finding the tools and the resources that help us to better understand and deepen our Faith.
I am so proud of you! xoxo
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Thank you so much Mom! As you are one of the best disciples I know, that compliment coming from you means a lot.
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