I am sitting outside right now and it is 70 degrees and sunny out. It. Is. Perfect. I have a soy latte in my hands, and a little free time since I finished my work for the day. So, I thought that I would take the opportunity to do a photo dump of my fun little ones while writing about my journey through Lent.
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| All dressed up, ready for bed |
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| Cecilia checking out her artwork from preschool on display at the AA library |
My view of Lent has shifted over the years. I can honestly say that I didn't fully understand it and, for some years, I wandered in and out of the church and didn't really observe Lent. But it was a particular season of Lent that brought to my knees and drew me back into the Catholic church. Since then, I haven't looked back. Now, by the time that Lent rolls around every year, I am ready. I need--I crave--this penitential, grace-filled time and this year was no exception.
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Anna zooming in on the waterfall at the conservatory.
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| The main reason to eat raspberries--Raspberry Fingers! |
Before Lent, I was feeling pretty miserable all around--physically, emotionally, spiritually. I had gotten a cold, then a sinus infection, and finally a cold sore to ensure that I truly looked how I felt. I looked in the mirror and could hear God saying, "Stop fighting it! Come back to me and I will give you rest." (Not physical rest, mind you. I have three small children and a job.)
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| This boy loves books. He just plops down in the middle of the library floor. |
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| This is what happens when he doesn't get his way. |
What I have really tried to focus on this year is why we observe Lent. No, it's not to "give things up" so that we can complain about it or to punish ourselves. It's offering prayer and sacrifice in order that we can draw closer to God. It's removing those obstacles that we put between God and ourselves, asking Him to make us clean so that we fully celebrate in the joy of Easter.
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| Seriously, how sweet is this?!? Anna reading books with Dad. |
Lent is a long seven week journey and, as life goes, mine has had peaks and valleys. But, what God has slowly worked back into my heart is hope, and love, and grace. I will always have to fight my cynical nature but, at least right now, I don't feel like the sick, cold-sored person that I was six weeks ago. I know that I don't have to be--that God doesn't want me to be that person. Which is a good place to be entering into Holy Week. This is the week that we get to walk with Jesus from the time that he enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, through the Last Supper, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. I can't wait.
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| And this is what I will be eating to celebrate. :) |
