Lenten Reminders Around


We all know it's been a hard winter.  A few weeks ago, I admit, I began to feel myself getting genuinely angry and affronted that the weather has been so harsh.  Which, I admit, is silly.  Spring will come.  It will.  And perhaps this is a pretty good way to spend the majority of Lent.  Waiting, offering, bearing, enduring, feeling the barrenness of the world, the longing of our souls.  So lately I've been resolving to not complain and whine about things that I cannot change and I've been trying to do better about embracing these moments as a season of growth rather than wishing them away.  (Which is all my fancy way of saying, I'd like to stop being a wimpy, whiny winter baby.)

Life here has been pretty non-eventful.  I've started to get the twinges of nesting, though my physical energy has yet to get with the program.  I think lots of it is the weather.  But in my attempt to embrace, I've been trying to get the things done now that I can so that once the spring does come, I can spend my energy with outside work.  Because yes, it will come.  And so will that baby.

Anyway, I thought I'd share a few glimpses of the ways I've tried to bring Lent into our home this year and remind me to embrace these moments a little more.




(This one is up year round in our dining room.)





In the past we've had one big jar for the beans.  This year I realized that certain children were doing a whole lot more of the filling than others and it didn't seem quite fair.







Spring will come.  Someday.


How's your Lent going?

8 comments

  1. All of these are great ideas. My favorite is the Stations going up the stairs.

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    1. I've been surprised how the two littlest ones took the greatest interest in those! I found Luke one day going up each stair and making up his own prayers and "holy talk" <3

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  2. How inspiring! Your decorations on your mantle spoke to me. Repent. Yes.
    It has been a hard winter, but spring is around the corner. When it comes, I will spend every day outside for a month!
    I am praying for you and your little one.

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    1. Thank you, Erica! I keep dreaming about laying in the sun :)

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  3. I like the idea of the individual jars. And please, pretty please, take a picture of your stairs so I can see what you did! Are those the fruits of the spirit on them? Did you paint them?

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    1. Yes, I stenciled them on a few years ago :) I have more pics here http://www.betterthaneden.com/2012/11/stairway-redone.html Not the best pictures in the world but they show a bit more!

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  4. How's my Lent? Well, for one thing... I really really miss that chocolate I gave up. No kidding. Clearly, Jesus knew what He had in mind for my Lent because this is "little thing" has been a big thing for me. I have plenty of opportunity to feel the pang of my sacrifice and turn it toward prayer for my intentions, that is for sure.

    Spring is really coming, though! I could feel today where I am. I hope it comes to you soon.

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    1. I hate when people diss on giving up chocolate because you're right it can be REALLY hard!!

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