It’s that time of year again…Lent! That doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? Guess what kids?! It’s that time of year where we get to cut out sweets from our diet and meditate on our sins. Yipee!
Lent Santa: What’s on your Lent List Tommy?
Little Tommy: Filet-o-fish on Sundays and Jesus bleeding on the cross!
Lent Santa: Okay, but only if you’re a good little boy and promise not to eat chocolate for the next 40 days. Ho ho ho! Merrrryyyy Lent!
Not exactly the most wonderful time of the year.
Last year for Lent I decided to add instead of subtract. I added a daily devotional to my routine. It started out as a struggle because it meant I had to sit down and be quiet and read something other than Harry Potter or Twilight. Once I got used to being still for a few minutes and allowing God to talk to me through the devotional it became a blessing. Ironically, last year, I was unable to keep up the daily devotion after Easter. I’m not sure if it was me or the fact that my little Lent devotional book was completed or what.
This year I’ve committed to adding instead of subtracting again. I’ve also added one little thing to make me squirm a little bit more. In addition to the Lenten devotional I’ve decided to add writing in my journal to my routine. I used to be great about writing in it everyday. Even if it was the grocery list or just to say “Addison and I went to the zoo today”. I loved it and it became valuable in helping me remember my life. I’ve discovered that I have a bad memory for details of the past. I started journaling on a regular basis during the first year of our marriage because I didn’t want it all to become a blur (as I knew it would thanks to my poor memory). My journal has helped me reflect on Addison’s early years as well as Harry’s beginnings. Then somewhere around Harry’s babyhood I fell off the journaling waggon. I guess sleepless nights and mommy brain made a daily journal seem like a annoyance rather than a joy.
Lent is the perfect time to start something new. Kind of like a New Year resolution but with Christ at the center of our intentions.
My Lent List includes daily time with God, time with my own brain, and Christ risen from the tomb.
What’s on your Lent List?
Margi
Thanks for helping keep things in perspective. I’ve been off soda for a week (gulp), and so far I am surviving. But I really like your idea of adding something. I, too, will make it a point to journal. As my childrens’ lack of baby books will attest (sigh… one day I will get to them), I have such a hard time setting aside time to reflect on the day’s happenings. This will be a good thing to put into practice. Thanks again!