This year our family decided to celebrate Lent together by giving up sweets. My son, did not get a vote in the matter. It made since to do this together so no one would be tempting the others.
The thing I did not count on was how often food - sweets in particular - are used as rewards and celebrations at school. Saying "no thank you" to those rewards and birthday parties is a lot to ask of a third grader. We have had to make multiple accommodations to work school life and Lent together.
If I had to do it all over again, I think we would do things differently, but we made a commitment and we are muscling through the best we can.
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lent. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Too Late for Lent
"Lay something down to take something up."
This was described as the "invitation of Lent" in a recent church bulletin. Beautifully phrased. And it made me realize that I do a fair job of laying something down most years for Lent, but I rarely take something up.
The sermon was about Mary and Martha in Luke, chapter 10. If you don't know the story, Jesus is visiting the family of Mary and Martha. Martha is working her tail off, trying to have everything just right and her sister, Mary, is just sitting around listening to Jesus. Finally Martha gets fed up and asks Jesus if he is going to do something about her slacker-sister. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has made the right choice, to sit at his feet and listen and learn.
I am totally a Martha - "distracted by many tasks." There are always things I am working on and even more things that need to be done.
The sermon made me wish it was early February instead of early March. If Lent hadn't started, I think I would have approached the season differently based on the images in this sermon. I would have looked at ways to make the Mary choice, to spend time with Jesus instead of being busy and distracted with many other things.
Thankfully, it is never too late. Jesus is always available, waiting to spend time with us.
This was described as the "invitation of Lent" in a recent church bulletin. Beautifully phrased. And it made me realize that I do a fair job of laying something down most years for Lent, but I rarely take something up.
The sermon was about Mary and Martha in Luke, chapter 10. If you don't know the story, Jesus is visiting the family of Mary and Martha. Martha is working her tail off, trying to have everything just right and her sister, Mary, is just sitting around listening to Jesus. Finally Martha gets fed up and asks Jesus if he is going to do something about her slacker-sister. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has made the right choice, to sit at his feet and listen and learn.
I am totally a Martha - "distracted by many tasks." There are always things I am working on and even more things that need to be done.
The sermon made me wish it was early February instead of early March. If Lent hadn't started, I think I would have approached the season differently based on the images in this sermon. I would have looked at ways to make the Mary choice, to spend time with Jesus instead of being busy and distracted with many other things.
Thankfully, it is never too late. Jesus is always available, waiting to spend time with us.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Lent
Lent begins tomorrow. For years I didn't pay much attention to Lent, assuming it was more of a Catholic thing than a Protestant one. But I have come to appreciate the discipline of Lent. While I have a hard time denying myself anything I want most days, Lent allows me an external motivation to be disciplined.
This year our family is giving up sweets for Lent - Girl Scout Cookies, chocolate, regular soda, etc.
We love our treats. I have a little chocolate most days. But it has become too big a part of our lives, so we are going to allow Lent to train us into more discipline. The first few days should be the most trying. But I am looking forward to it nonetheless.
Are you giving up anything for Lent? Or maybe adding a practice that you want to cultivate in your life?
This year our family is giving up sweets for Lent - Girl Scout Cookies, chocolate, regular soda, etc.
We love our treats. I have a little chocolate most days. But it has become too big a part of our lives, so we are going to allow Lent to train us into more discipline. The first few days should be the most trying. But I am looking forward to it nonetheless.
Are you giving up anything for Lent? Or maybe adding a practice that you want to cultivate in your life?
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Lessons of Lent
During Lent this year, I noticed two things.
1) I am terrible with silence. I was supposed to set aside 15 minutes a day to spend in silence with God. I was surprised at how hard it was. I lost what little rhythm I had with the process over Spring Break and never went back. I remembered that I was supposed to be setting the time aside, but I gave it up as too hard. I may have to try to work it into my post-Easter life just to prove to myself that I can. I am a perfectionist which means I either get ridiculously driven to do something, or I quit on it because I can't do it right. I don't like to be a quitter.
2) I am also terrible at telling myself, "no." I felt immense freedom Sunday morning when I woke up. Lent was over. I could once again buy books whenever I want. Telling myself "no" for seven weeks was good discipline, but also felt oppressive. Even though there was no book I wanted to buy Sunday, I felt elated relief because I could. The relief seemed out of proportion to the denial. It would have made more sense if there was something I wanted that I could finally have, but there wasn't. It was just the principle that I could make my own choices and do whatever I wanted.
Freedom is good.
But another phrase keeps coming to mind: Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial.
Freedom feels better than denial. But freedom comes with great responsibility. I am hopeful that the lessons of Lent will linger beyond Easter morning this year.
1) I am terrible with silence. I was supposed to set aside 15 minutes a day to spend in silence with God. I was surprised at how hard it was. I lost what little rhythm I had with the process over Spring Break and never went back. I remembered that I was supposed to be setting the time aside, but I gave it up as too hard. I may have to try to work it into my post-Easter life just to prove to myself that I can. I am a perfectionist which means I either get ridiculously driven to do something, or I quit on it because I can't do it right. I don't like to be a quitter.
2) I am also terrible at telling myself, "no." I felt immense freedom Sunday morning when I woke up. Lent was over. I could once again buy books whenever I want. Telling myself "no" for seven weeks was good discipline, but also felt oppressive. Even though there was no book I wanted to buy Sunday, I felt elated relief because I could. The relief seemed out of proportion to the denial. It would have made more sense if there was something I wanted that I could finally have, but there wasn't. It was just the principle that I could make my own choices and do whatever I wanted.
Freedom is good.
But another phrase keeps coming to mind: Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial.
Freedom feels better than denial. But freedom comes with great responsibility. I am hopeful that the lessons of Lent will linger beyond Easter morning this year.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Lent
I chose to give up personal book buying for Lent.
Sound crazy? It's not.
What's crazy is the fact that I usually have 20 to 40 books checked out from the library at any one time (non-fiction for research, children's books for club and blogging, adult fiction for fun and blogging).
What's crazy is the fact that I have about 20 books on my e-reader (many were free) that I haven't read yet.
What's crazy is that I have a five-shelf book case full of my TBR books (to be read).
What's crazy is my advance reader copies (from publishers for review) form another book pile in my bedroom.
Hello, my name is Jaymie and I am a book-a-holic.
I've noticed lately - well, for awhile - a compulsion. I accumulate things, books being one of them. It's pretty bad. I'll start reading a non-fiction book from the library, then really like it so I decide to buy it. Then I put it on a shelf rather than finish it because the urgency of the library return date is gone. That book isn't going anywhere. I'll finish it later. Later doesn't come. There are too many books coming out all the time - too many new stories or new pieces of information waiting to be discovered!
This is a pattern I see in other places, too. It bothers me. So, I decided to let the discipline of Lent help me curb a bad habit. I am hopeful that this time will give me some insight into WHY I do this.
So far, I am coping all right. I've visited several book stores (they are my happy place) and limited myself to magazines. I take pictures with my cell phone of books I'd like to read later and make a list for some future trip to the library. I recognize that book stores inspire me. They are places filled with hope and potential - stories to enjoy and share, lessons and skills to learn. I wouldn't want to give up book stores themselves, but I'll set aside the accumulating while I seek reasons for the compulsion behind it.
What did you give up for Lent? Or did you add a new practice? How is that going?
Sound crazy? It's not.
What's crazy is the fact that I usually have 20 to 40 books checked out from the library at any one time (non-fiction for research, children's books for club and blogging, adult fiction for fun and blogging).
What's crazy is the fact that I have about 20 books on my e-reader (many were free) that I haven't read yet.
What's crazy is that I have a five-shelf book case full of my TBR books (to be read).
What's crazy is my advance reader copies (from publishers for review) form another book pile in my bedroom.
Hello, my name is Jaymie and I am a book-a-holic.
I've noticed lately - well, for awhile - a compulsion. I accumulate things, books being one of them. It's pretty bad. I'll start reading a non-fiction book from the library, then really like it so I decide to buy it. Then I put it on a shelf rather than finish it because the urgency of the library return date is gone. That book isn't going anywhere. I'll finish it later. Later doesn't come. There are too many books coming out all the time - too many new stories or new pieces of information waiting to be discovered!
This is a pattern I see in other places, too. It bothers me. So, I decided to let the discipline of Lent help me curb a bad habit. I am hopeful that this time will give me some insight into WHY I do this.
So far, I am coping all right. I've visited several book stores (they are my happy place) and limited myself to magazines. I take pictures with my cell phone of books I'd like to read later and make a list for some future trip to the library. I recognize that book stores inspire me. They are places filled with hope and potential - stories to enjoy and share, lessons and skills to learn. I wouldn't want to give up book stores themselves, but I'll set aside the accumulating while I seek reasons for the compulsion behind it.
What did you give up for Lent? Or did you add a new practice? How is that going?
Saturday, March 19, 2011
15 minutes = eternity
Fifteen minutes. An episode of Phineas and Ferb. A run out to pick up pizza. A reasonable wait at the doctor's office. I never thought of fifteen minutes as a big deal until Lent started this year.
A friend challenged people to add something God-honoring to their lives this year, rather than (or in addition to) giving something up. She said, "I invite you to take 15 minutes each of the next 40 days of Lent and find a quiet space, turn off your phone and other electronics, and sit in silence with God."
The 15 minutes part is fine.
The quiet space without distractions works, too.
It's the "sit in silence" part that is causing some distress.
My brain is never silent. In my attempts over the last week or so, I have had to shush
My mind refuses to be still. I've tried writing scripture verses to give me something to focus on, but my brain still wanders off. I am hopeful that this discipline will pay some sort of dividend by Easter. For now, I feel great relief when the 15 minutes are finally done and my brain can rev at full speed without guilt!
Speaking of Lent, my church has been posting Lenten meditations for the season. If you check today, you can see my post for Friday the 18th.
A friend challenged people to add something God-honoring to their lives this year, rather than (or in addition to) giving something up. She said, "I invite you to take 15 minutes each of the next 40 days of Lent and find a quiet space, turn off your phone and other electronics, and sit in silence with God."
The 15 minutes part is fine.
The quiet space without distractions works, too.
It's the "sit in silence" part that is causing some distress.
My brain is never silent. In my attempts over the last week or so, I have had to shush
- songs (I watched Les Mis recently and the songs won't leave me be)
- blog ideas (I try to just jot them down to get them out of my head)
- whole blog posts
- lists of things I keep forgetting to do
- clock watching
- wondering how other people are managing with this "silence."
- wondering just how weird my brain is because this is so hard
- more clock watching
- conversations I've had or need to have
- lessons for writing club
- even more clock watching
- the schedule for the rest of the day or week
My mind refuses to be still. I've tried writing scripture verses to give me something to focus on, but my brain still wanders off. I am hopeful that this discipline will pay some sort of dividend by Easter. For now, I feel great relief when the 15 minutes are finally done and my brain can rev at full speed without guilt!
Speaking of Lent, my church has been posting Lenten meditations for the season. If you check today, you can see my post for Friday the 18th.
Friday, March 18, 2011
BONUS BLOG
My church is posting Lenten meditations on their website, one week at a time. My meditation is listed for today. Would love you to check it out and let me know what you think.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Lent, part 3
A friend from church confessed a week ago that she had already "blown it" regarding what she had given up for Lent. That got me to wondering. What does it mean to slip on a commitment like Lent? Is it a commitment between you and God that you have "failed?" Or is it more a matter of good intentions? What do you do when you slip? Do you pick back up with it or do you give up all together?
I'm always tempted to just give it up, but my husband usually reminds me "Jesus didn't quit when it came to the cross..." and how do you argue with that?! =-)
So, what do you think it means when you make a mistake during Lent?
I'm always tempted to just give it up, but my husband usually reminds me "Jesus didn't quit when it came to the cross..." and how do you argue with that?! =-)
So, what do you think it means when you make a mistake during Lent?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Lent, part 2
When I give something up for Lent, it tends to be more about finding discipline in an area where I have none rather than a sacrifice related to Easter. And it works. Something about Lent and the spiritual motivation makes me stick with it in ways that I wouldn't if I were just trying to do it on my own. But if it is just about discipline, is that really the point of Lent?
What do you think? Did you give something up this year? Why?
What do you think? Did you give something up this year? Why?
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Lent
Lent is the season - 40ish days - leading up to Easter. Easter is my favorite holiday of the year, and Lent is all about preparing for that celebration.
I have been thinking about Lent lately - about the whole idea of "giving something up" for the season of Lent. I didn't grow up in the church, and when I started going, it wasn't to a church with a tradition of Lenten celebrations like that. So I am still making my way through what I think about that, and why to do it.
How do you celebrate Lent?
I have been thinking about Lent lately - about the whole idea of "giving something up" for the season of Lent. I didn't grow up in the church, and when I started going, it wasn't to a church with a tradition of Lenten celebrations like that. So I am still making my way through what I think about that, and why to do it.
How do you celebrate Lent?
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