As Advent and Christmas turned out to be slightly less than what I had hoped for spiritually speaking, I'm making a concerted effort to focus on Christ this Lent and to draw my children into the meaning of it all.  We've all come up with our fasts and acts of service.  For the kids they are small yet require much toddler effort -- we are, as a family, fasting fast food!  This is difficult for little ones -- maybe more so for their sometimes tired momma.  Additionally we are "helping one another" this Lent.  Gordon is helping Teeny make her bed every morning, Teeny is helping with Bud-Jack's diaper changes, and Bud-Jack. . . well, he's helping daddy smile at the end of those long days at work.  We are using both this road map to Lent as well as these verses and symbols for the Lent Cross in our daily morning prayers and evening Bible readings -- the kids love taping stuff up on the chart, and it seems to really drive home the point, at least with Gordon.  I'm also planning on using these Lenten Sunday bedtime ideas.

On a personal note, I'm trying (as much as a nursing mother can) to eat more simply on my Fridays.  I'm by no means rigid, but I figure I can do what I can.  And, I love food -- LOVE it -- so this is sometimes a struggle.  As far as my acts of service to God, my intention was to read through the entire Bible in 40 days.  Yes, yes, I realized pretty quickly that this goal is a bit too lofty.  So, what will I come up with to replace it?

Well, what I've read is to think about those areas that are struggle areas for you -- areas in which you consistently fall short or sin often -- and then sort of mold your fasting and serving around those areas.  My biggest sins are those of irritability, anger, and anxiety.  Based on my readings in 2006, the best way to eliminate these sort of emotions is to simplify.  So, maybe I'll take a long, hard look at what is complicating and cluttering my life (both physically and emotionally/spiritually) and weed those things out over the next 40 days. 

If you asked my husband what my act of service for Lent should be, he would say. . .  well, I'll leave that one to your imaginations.  And while it seems a bit ludicrous, it really isn't such a bad idea in theory (or even in practice).  The fact of the matter is that we (and some of our friends) are watching marriages crumble to the ground left and right.  It is frightening, really.  And all the sadness of these breaking marriages has led me to really take a step back and take a good look at my own marriage and myself as a wife.  Am I praying daily for Jason, for our marriage?  Am I putting Jason first (second only to God, Himself) in my life?  Does Jason know that he is the most important person in my life?  Do I make myself indispensible to him by nurturing and helping him in every area of his life?  Do I allow him to lead in every situation in our family -- even when I think he's wrong?  Am I looking to Jason to make me happy and getting disgruntled when he falls short of my expectations?  Am I getting frustrated and angry when things are less-than-wonderful or do I forgive and sacrifice my own "rights" and "wants"?  Am I allowing my marriage to make me more like Christ -- giving, forgiving, full of unconditional and limitless grace and mercy?  Or am I allowing my marriage to make me more fleshly -- self-centered, unforgiving, and full of pride and judgement?

I believe that, if I allow God to really work in MY life, this Lent might dramatically improve my relationship with Jason, the atmosphere of my home, and my relationship with Christ.

And for a good book on the subject of marriage, I HIGHLY recommend Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas.