(I know our faith traditions are wide and varying. Perhaps you have been looking for ways to talk and think about Lent with your children. If not, perhaps this post still has something to offer in terms of helping your children and family understand the practices of Lent they will see happening around them this season. I hope you take from it what might be helpful. Thank you! )
Ash Wednesday - the herald note of the Lenten season. As someone who didn't grow up in a tradition that celebrates Lent, but whose very best friends did, I recall a childhood of secretly watching and wondering...watching the somber, sober reflection of the Ash Wednesday service, wondering if an ashen cross on my forehead might burn its way deeper, deeper, down into my heart?
As an adult, I have come to embrace a season of Lent, much as I embrace a season of Advent. Not because my particular church body prescribes or practices it, but because I find it helpful as a call to remembrance. After all, it's not about ashen crosses, really. It's not even about "giving something up" or my little sacrifice. No - it's about Jesus. It's about looking forward, focusing, leaning in. Lent is about preparation. Lent is about what's real - not just for today, but for forever. Lean in and look hard.
As an adult, I have come to embrace a season of Lent, much as I embrace a season of Advent. Not because my particular church body prescribes or practices it, but because I find it helpful as a call to remembrance. After all, it's not about ashen crosses, really. It's not even about "giving something up" or my little sacrifice. No - it's about Jesus. It's about looking forward, focusing, leaning in. Lent is about preparation. Lent is about what's real - not just for today, but for forever. Lean in and look hard.
Leaning in to Jesus. That's what I want to do. In the next 40-some days, I want to focus more on His sacrifice, less on me. I want to think about why Jesus came, why Jesus lived, why Jesus died. Less of me, more of Him. Less of me, much - much - more of Him.
Ashen crosses point the way to the end of this journey of Lent, which is the foot of the Good Friday cross. It's an outward sign of an inward repentance. It's a symbol that cries out our understanding that it was our sin - the sin of mankind - that led Jesus to the cross. Lean in. Consider. Reflect.
There is nothing more sobering that realizing the cost - and the commensurate value - of our walk with the Lord. Without the sacrifice of the cross, there would have been no Easter morning resurrection. Without the cross, there would be no offer of eternal life. Without the cross, our sins would still stand between us and our Holy God.
Lean in with me this Lent, won't you?
Lean in to His love. Lean in to His grace. Lean in to His forgiveness.
When we are willing to expose our hearts to the penetrating light of the presence of God, we will find the joy and peace of relationship with Him. He is faithful. He is merciful. He is waiting.
Ashen crosses point the way to the end of this journey of Lent, which is the foot of the Good Friday cross. It's an outward sign of an inward repentance. It's a symbol that cries out our understanding that it was our sin - the sin of mankind - that led Jesus to the cross. Lean in. Consider. Reflect.
There is nothing more sobering that realizing the cost - and the commensurate value - of our walk with the Lord. Without the sacrifice of the cross, there would have been no Easter morning resurrection. Without the cross, there would be no offer of eternal life. Without the cross, our sins would still stand between us and our Holy God.
Lean in with me this Lent, won't you?
Lean in to His love. Lean in to His grace. Lean in to His forgiveness.
When we are willing to expose our hearts to the penetrating light of the presence of God, we will find the joy and peace of relationship with Him. He is faithful. He is merciful. He is waiting.
In our homeschool, we always start the day "together" on the couch. We pray, asking God to focus our hearts and minds, to help us to do our best, to help us understand what He would have us learn. We sing songs - sometimes with the piano, sometimes just a chorus, sometimes the doxology alone. We work on AWANA verses together and then read the day's Psalm and Proverb. It's simple, yet so incredibly profound. When one of my sons went off to college, it was our morning times he missed the most.
During Lent, much like our Advent practice, we like to focus our Scripture reading on the upcoming season. We also have found it helpful to read through books or a devotional together to help stimulate thoughts and conversation about why and what we celebrate. Whether we make time for the additional reading first thing in the morning or during evening devotions, we read through Scripture, through books about Easter and Good Friday, and yes, books specifically for Lent. I have linked a few of our favorites below, for families and children of various ages, although it was hard - there are some truly wonderful books available!
First, for the youngest among us! (And by the way, if every family in your homeschool group or at your church buys just one book, you can swap and share for maximum benefit with minimum out-of-pocket!)
During Lent, much like our Advent practice, we like to focus our Scripture reading on the upcoming season. We also have found it helpful to read through books or a devotional together to help stimulate thoughts and conversation about why and what we celebrate. Whether we make time for the additional reading first thing in the morning or during evening devotions, we read through Scripture, through books about Easter and Good Friday, and yes, books specifically for Lent. I have linked a few of our favorites below, for families and children of various ages, although it was hard - there are some truly wonderful books available!
First, for the youngest among us! (And by the way, if every family in your homeschool group or at your church buys just one book, you can swap and share for maximum benefit with minimum out-of-pocket!)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Next, for those with slightly longer attention spans, although my young ones loves these as well! (Yes, theone on the end is actually a DVD of music - Scriptural, lovely calls to consider the truth of Easter. What a great way to memorize truth! )
|
|
|
|
|
|
And finally, some really wonderful books we have enjoyed as a couple, and with our now-older children:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have you discovered a great resource that has helped you prepare for the season of Easter? Do you have a favorite Lenten devotional? Feel free to comment and leave the title for others to check out!
Psalm 32:1-7
How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
How joyful is the man the LORD does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit!
When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.
Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You took away the guilt of my sin.
Selah
Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found.
When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble,
You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance
Leaning in,
Psalm 32:1-7
How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
How joyful is the man the LORD does not charge with sin and in whose spirit is no deceit!
When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat.
Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You took away the guilt of my sin.
Selah
Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found.
When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble,
You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance
Leaning in,
RSS Feed
