The past few days I have felt the need for some quiet. Some spiritual quiet as well as physical. Preparing our hearts for this lenten season which has already started. I hope you have not noticed my absence. I am also dealing with this head cold which because the heater in our cavernous bedroom has decided to stop working, has gotten a bit worse. I went to 4 stores yesterday looking for a space heater to find none.
I have a very busy day today with a new venture, I promise to share more about it soon, but wanted to come by quickly and share our lenten traditions.
Borrowing my own words from this post last year:
During Lent in our home we try to not only give things up but since Jesus gave everything for us we make it a goal to give to others. When the kids were all little I wanted a visual to encourage them to do good thing for others, especially each other, that is when the Lenten jar was born.
For every good deed done for someone else without being asked, they may put a bean in the empty jar. On Holy Thursday before bedtime I will put the beans into the crock pot along with pasta, and veggies to make the soup we will eat on Good Friday. If they do not do for others then our soup will be very meager.
They start up gung ho and the jar begins to fill very quickly but as the season goes on they begin to forget and I have to encourage them to do good things but that is a job that I don’t mind.
We will also be adding Wednesdays to our no meat fast since we do not eat meat on any Friday of the year (except the Friday after Thanksgiving :). This is the way Catholics fasted many years ago and some ate no meat at all which would be very difficult for us.
Looking for something to give up for Lent?
Give up resentment and become more forgiving.
Give up hatred and return good for evil.
Give up complaining and be more grateful.
Give up pessimism and become more hopeful.
Give up worry and become more trusting.
Give up anger and become more patient.
Give up pettiness and become more noble.
Give up gloom and become more joyful.
Give up doubt and turn to God.
We each have our list of small things we are giving up or doing for others and we unite our prayers to yours this Lenten season. I will be back here tomorrow for Real Food on a Real Budget.
This is such a wonderful idea! x
I was just thinking yesterday that I hoped you weren't still sick. I love the Lenten jar idea and Christie's adaptation!!
I really like this idea!
What a beautiful & tangible idea the Lenten jar is! Wishing you a blessed & fruitful Lent!
The springtime of the Fast has dawned,
The flower of repentance has begun to open.
O brethren, let us cleanse ourselves from all impurity,
And sing to the Giver of Light:
Glory be to You O God, Who alone lovest mankind. +
Thank you Patricia and a blessed lent to you too 🙂
Thank you for reminding me of the Lenten jars! We will do chocolate chips, and however many are in the jar will go in the cookies. Aiden doesn't like beans, or soup, so I have to make due. 🙂 Feel better soon- Lasko makes the best space heater.
Thank you Christy! I asked Poppa to go by a home improvement store and look for one 🙂 Chocolate chips are a wonderful idea. I guess we aren't very exciting people hehe, beans it is for us