Lent

(That is not my Lenten jar, but I'd like to pretend that is my beautiful marble tile....)



• Tonight we went to a lovely Ash Wednesday service at church. Wednesday is Steve's confirmation class, and he was happy to sit with his friends during the service. Norah was excited to get a "dot" on her head, but even happier about the communion bread. (Last Sunday, she got a little impatient toward the end of the service and said to the people in front of us "I am hungry for the bread now!") Unfortunately, whoever bakes the bread on Sundays must not have been available, and we had wafers. Norah looked less than impressed. She nibbled the first half and then stared at the second half like she was contemplating tossing it into the garbage. She finally got it down. She also suggested that the ash would look prettier if it was red or pink. Well, she is 3! (I mean 3 and a half...can't shortchange her on the half!)
• I want my kids to understand Lent. Steve joked that he was going to give up wine (since he doesn't drink it anyway!) and Casey laughed that he should give up mayo. I encouraged Steve to choose his own lent sacrifice and to consider that it be a sacrifice. I secretly hoped he would choose no video games, but I reminded him that Lent does not have to be about taking something away. It can also be about adding something to his life that he does not already make time to include and to choose something that brings him closer to God. I was reminded of Father John last year when we were still at St. Christopher's who suggested that instead of giving up gum or chocolate that we spend 15 minutes everyday in prayer or make time for regular outreach during Lent. Steve chose exercise. God wants us to take care of our bodies, and Steve made a goal to run a certain number of days each week and race in a 5k with me. I will give up wine, which is sort of a cheat because I have only been drinking about once a week, but to make a more full commitment, I also asked Casey to read a marriage devotional daily with me.
• I want to include Norah, but it is hard to fully explain Lent to a preschooler. (I found myself stumbling when I tried to explain exactly why we all had ash on our heads.) I decided to do two things--one that includes the whole family and one that is fun for the kids. (I found both of these ideas online.) The first is a Lenten jar. I wrote things on slips of paper and put them in the jar. Each morning the kids can pick something for everyone to do. The slips of paper say things like "Bake cookies to bring to someone as a surprise." "Ask God to do something nice for someone you do not like." "Send flowers to brighten someone's day." "Turn off the tv for the whole day." "Read one story from the Bible as a family."
• While we don't need jelly bellies in the house, I knew the kids would respond to this. I bought single colored packets of jelly bellies. Each color represents something, such as love, charity or prayer. Each day when the kids do something without prompting, they will put the color that represents that action into the jar. The jar will hopefully get nice and full by Easter! (And since I put non-candy things in their baskets, this will be even more exciting.)
• Steve was asked to do a reading for next week's Lent service. Every Wednesday during Lent, the confirmation class will have a potluck, go to the service and then gather for a talk. He was very excited to be offered the opportunity and practiced reading last night. He asked if he could wear a tux. If you know Steve, you know he has a love of the tuxedo. I believe he is serious and would wear one if he had one. Our church is fairly casual, which makes it an even funnier image.