Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Keeping LOVE in LENT {link-up}

 
I’m participating in the Keeping LOVE in LENT Blog Link-Up 2013, hosted by
We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus on Lenten sacrifices, prayer and good deeds, and how to carry them out with LOVE instead of a GRUMBLE.
Please scroll down to the end of the post to see the list of link-up entries.

  I've always been a procrastinator. Yet, people are always saying "I don't know how you do all you do." Lately, I've been saying "I don't know either. It MUST be by the Grace of God."  Honestly, even if it is at the last minute, I've made time for the things that are important.

 
  Of course, it's been a year since our family has numbered 7, and there are days the grace doesn't feel sufficient. I've had many a good and bad day as most people, and not many are ready to admit their shortcomings. But I do believe it is in our weakness that we've been made strong through Christ Jesus.

  So this Lent, we are challenged to make sure that God's unending grace and love is the reason and reward for the sacrifices we make. Here we are just a week into the Lenten season, and how's it going?

  All I can say is that today… I plucked a toothpick from our crown of thorns, silently, and dismissed myself from the chaos. The big deal is, I usually stay in it like a pot ready to boil over. I chose not to let my "ugly self" take over, and instead took a moment in prayer and reflection. Even parents need to be a part of the rituals they present to their children during Lent. And if I'm lucky, all those darn toothpicks will gone before Easter. That my good deeds and offerings will be a blessing and example for my children.

  What are we doing this Lent? Many have already seen my post "Preparing for Lent 2013", and it's going okay thus far. We just cleaned out a bin for our Sacrifices today. Everything is in place for a season of reading the Word of God, making humble sacrifices, meditating on the Stations of the Cross while we color, and role playing. I am also excited to sew a Rosary Quilt inspired by Intercessories on Etsy. A quilt stitched with a blank rosary chain, to add felt, paper or crocheted beads while praying. This will be great for my toddlers/preschoolers.

  I think it is such a blessing that we have children in this case, that while I prepare them to be honorable to God, I am also finding a new appreciation for my journey. They see my faults like no other, and they lift me up with their smiles, their dancing, their hugs. I desire to be holy for God and for the sake of my family. Despair may have had a hold on my life in the past, but now I am "picking" my battles wisely with the Grace and Mercy of Jesus, my Savior.

  Thanks for spending a moment in my thoughts. If you read this far, you might enjoy the inspiration of those linked below!

Check out the Lent reflections participating in the Keep LOVE in LENT Blog Link-Up 2013! We'll be sharing different ways, tips, stories and real-life experiences that will help us focus on Lenten sacrifices, prayer and good deeds, and how to carry them out with LOVE instead of a GRUMBLE.
Discover new Catholic Blogs to follow!


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15 comments:

  1. prayers for a fruitful lent filled with peace and love.

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  2. My children also inspire me to do better. I too try to let go of the chaos instead of winding myself up, but it is a process I'm still working on...

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  3. "...chose not to let my "ugly self" take over, and instead took a moment in prayer and reflection. ...my good deeds and offerings will be a blessing and example for my children." Well said! I, too, need to stop, pray and reflect more, choosing to act and react with a soft heart and from a place of love. Wishing you steadfast capacity to do so, too!

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  4. Beautiful insights! Thank you!

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  5. By the grace of God. Amen!

    It's been years since my family did the crown of thorns throughout Lent. As I've grown up, though, I've taken the concept and individualized it for myself during my single years. Thanks for the memories :) God bless you!

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  6. Thank you, Melissa, for this post. :) Just like you, "I desire to be holy for God, and for the sake of my family." Although I know I'm FAR from it yet! :) I really, really appreciate your blog — we're using your Jesus Tree printables again this year, and are so blessed by them!

    Thank you, too, for joining the link-up! God bless you and yours always! :)

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  7. Hi my sweet friend, I was happy to see you on this link up because you have much to offer us! Your creativity, passion and imagination for creating faith formation activities for your children have blessed us all! I pray that all those who've linked up and more come and visit your blog!

    St. Brigid, pray for Melissa's family!

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  8. Love your to-do lists! And your "Forever Tree" is absolutely beautiful. Your blogs offer so many wonderful ideas and I feel blessed to have found you. :) Good Lent to you and your family!

    Regina
    http://www.alivinggarden.com

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  9. I can relate so closely to your post! I, too, am a procrastinator! And, I also hear, "How do you get it all done?" all of the time. If only people knew, or could see into our home what things look like on a day to day basis! I love the pics of your kiddos on the side-bar. They are adorable!! Have a blessed Lent!!

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  10. Well done on not boiling over. I have the same tendency and understand how hard it is to NOT blow up. May the Wounded Heart of Christ bless you and your beautiful family this Lenten season.

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  11. You are so right that we need to remember as parents to take a moment to reflect and pray amid the chaos of our lives. Children also lift our spirits up and remind us to focus on what is important. Blessings to your family this Lent and Easter.

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  12. I KNOW I would not participate in the liturgical year like I do if it were not for my kids. Clearly God knew what he was doing when he gave me this vocation. Plus there are always little people watching me, so I have to behave. I can't sit around eating brownies and watching cable -- my KIDS are spying on me. They are such a blessing (and a cross) they're my only hope for heaven on the first try!

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  13. Stopping by from the Keep Love in Lent link-up.

    This sentence really had meaning to me...
    "All I can say is that today… I plucked a toothpick from our crown of thorns, silently, and dismissed myself from the chaos."

    I love the idea of dismissing oneself from the chaos of the everyday world, and especially the chaos of raising a family. My family isn't as large as yours (just two kids), but both kids are very active in sports, dance, etc. And for right now, I'm a single parent doing all the chauffeuring since my husband is working out of town for four (or maybe six) months. Sometimes I let the chaos simmer inside me too until it boils over! When I feel it, I will follow your example, and take a moment for prayer. (It's time to start saying the Jesus prayer again, I think!)

    Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us this Lenten season!

    Cheryl
    http://www.diary-of-a-sower.blogspot.com

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  14. Ooh...this is a good reminder for me too. << I plucked a toothpick from our crown of thorns, silently, and dismissed myself from the chaos. The big deal is, I usually stay in it like a pot ready to boil over. I chose not to let my "ugly self" take over, and instead took a moment in prayer and reflection.>>
    I think I could write that...I just have to pluck the toothpick and dismiss myself from the chaos, not let myself become part of it. Thanks for the reminder!

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  15. Yes, praying that you have a Blessed Lent and Glorious Easter!

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Thank you for reading about our family. I look forwards to sharing ideas, joys and struggles. God Bless you in your journey!

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Homegrown Catholics - Our homeschooling experience

Raising our children at home 24/7 is quite the vocation. It requires inner strength, or as we call it "God's Grace." Each child is taken as a seedling, planted and nurtured right here in our home garden, watered with God's graces. One day God can harvest the fruit and let it sweeten the lives of others.

As a child, I wore a mustard seed with a bible verse [Mark 30-32]around my neck. I pondered the fragility and potential of that little seed. What amazing potential did I have, and now what of the potential of our children!? In high school, my favorite quote was: "When you take the time to do the things you have to do when you have to do them; the time will come when you can do the things you want to do when you want to do them!" - Zig Zigler

So we're taking the time to enrich our childrens' lives, so that they can someday be sent into the world not just as educated citizens - but more so messengers of God. It often takes all my energy and will power to get out of bed each day and have everyone at home depending upon me to entertain with lessons and activities. But I know the end result will be our confidence in knowing we did everything we could to give our children the best Catholic Education WE could provide.

I don't know that I'll ever retire from being a teacher to my family, and I don't want to wait until my husband retires and our children are all grown before we really live our life. Homeschooling allows us to live now, love better now, and give praise and thanks to God now for all that we currently enjoy.

Homegrown Catholics blog is a place for us to share this journey with you. Let it be a resource of renewal and inspiration!

God Bless,
Melissa & Tom
and our growing family


*Visit my other blog for more straight forward journaling about my life Growing in Grace, my Catholic Journey, and my take on world issues. My personal journey to evangelize despite opposition.
*To view samples of what I sew and craft for homework and sale, go to Modest Mommies.