I’m in a stretch that can only be called difficult. I can’t really put my finger on it, but there it is.
And here we are, in Lent. Insert some dramatic sighs. This is NOT a year where I’m all “Oh yay! Lent!” AT ALL.
On Monday, I got together with a few people and got over my bad attitude long enough to enjoy the company. In fact, it was recorded and everything…it’s a great discussion of Lent and family. It was hosted by CRS Rice Bowl:
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/H8z94EBaS-g”]
Yesterday, I coasted along until I hit a brick wall. And I’m telling you, I had this black streak of time that was…well. It was probably hard for the people who had to interact with me too. (Sorry, you guys. And thanks for being so patient with me!)
Today, Ash Wednesday, I woke up after having been up fielding a few things waaaaay too late. And I tried to dive into work.
And I failed.
So I curled up on the couch and before I knew it, I was warm under the afghans and asleep. My little guy (who is a late sleeper anyway — and no, we don’t keep him up late at all!) came and cuddled with me and I went back to sleep.
Yes, I’m outing myself: my morning work block was scrapped and I took a nap.
We’ve had our lunch and I’m much calmer. But there’s still this gray cloud around the edges.
And I can’t help but think that this Lent is a Lent of what I won’t be doing. It’s a Lent of little and subtle.
I won’t be stressing…
…about how we aren’t spending hours on our knees as a family.
…to try to insert a family rosary into every evening.
…about failure. It’s just part of Lent.
I won’t be giving up…
…on making it to the end (hey, by Easter I’ll have a BABY in my arms! This Lent I get a tangible prize!).
…on the grace that comes from my inevitable failure. I can only do these things because of Him. Right?
…on mid-Lent changes. This will be the year that the brilliance happens
I won’t be making things more complicated…
…I found this great idea via Katie Warner yesterday and had this huge ah-ha moment. While the girls were working on homework, I made a listing of the days of Lent and put one name by each day. Then I was inspired to add a saint by each person’s name. I went through my personalized litany of saints and just assigned them. (And the assignments were strangely RIGHT ON. Go Holy Spirit!) Every day, I’m going to pray for that person all day. Maybe I’ll let them know. Maybe not.
…I have Lenten reading in hand. There’s no stress with this pile of books.
…and there’s this three-some of apps that will help support me in simple ways.
I won’t forget…
…that it’s Lent.
…that there’s a new day, a new hour, a new minute.
…that this is one opportunity. It’s not the end-all, be-all, life-or-death.
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In case you’re interested, I interviewed Tami Kiser about that great Online Conference for Catholic Moms that I mentioned a while back. My piece is up over at the Register today.
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