Lent is upon us, once again. I've been preparing for some time, thinking about and praying about what to do...because giving something up just missing the point, to some extent. Sure, I can give up chocolate or cake, I like chocolate and cake, but I don't LOVE chocolate and cake. Giving it up wouldn't really mean anything to me. Same for the kids...we need to do something instead of just giving up treats. They are at an age where they need to understand that Lent goes deeper than that.
We need to draw closer to God...be a steward! We hear kindness, love, compassion, love, oh, did I mention LOVE being preached every Sunday. That was the basis of Jesus' teachings. Hate the sin, LOVE the sinner. LOVE one another as I have LOVED you. Faith, hope and LOVE, but the greatest of these is LOVE.
It's so important so show our love of God to one another. So, I decided that the kids and I would volunteer somewhere, perhaps a soup kitchen. We were going to volunteer at a kitty rescue, but it fell through. They don't allow children to volunteer because of liability issues. I haven't told them that, because it would break their little hearts.
So, after much prayer, I decided what were are going to do. I'm going to see if we can "adopt" an elderly parishioner of our church, or someone in our community. We'll make dinner for said person every night, visit, do anything we can to brighten their lives. There are so many who are forgotten, lonely, sad, etc. If my kids and I can make a difference in one person's life this lenten season, than it's all worth it!
And this is not something that is only for lent, either. It's just a good time to start forming new relationships, taking care of others, showing Gods LOVE to others, through us. I want us to be His vessels. I love God so much, and I hope that other's see God's love in me.
After all, we are all His beloved!
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome idea! Thinking of something similar here at our house. After working at the Health Department in our town for (5) months, it became obviouse to me that poverty was not in Africa and Egypt....it's here in our backyard. People without food, KIDS without food, drink, clothing! SAD. Humbling for me and my kids. So.... We have decided to look into the Samaritian House or Salvation Army and see how we can help this forgotten community.
ReplyDeleteWorking there really changed my life. I was never a materialistic person anyway, but now I realize, we have nothing....but we are blessed beyond belief and so fortunate to be able to help others that need to see God's love.
Did you know that the St. Louis De Montfort Consecration lines up perfectly with Lent this year (won't happen again till 2075) ~ to Jesus through Mary :)
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