Lenten Blessings

In the denomination I was raised into (and L-O-V-E), I never really considered the concept of Lent.  To be honest, Lent was one of those things the Catholics did.  One of those things that was foreign, unknown, weird even.  One of those things that separated.

I talk about it pretty often on this blog, but being married to Chris challenges me.  It makes me think.  It makes me study.  It makes me read my Bible in a way I've never read it before.  I always read scripture to be encouraged.  Now I read it to STUDY.

Lent of 2010 (my first being married to Chris) was really encouraging to me.  I was attending a seriously awesome church (Catholic) that was both convicting and uplifting.  It was my first time to truly observe Lent (I did a 40 day fast my sophomore year of high school but it was in like October or something).  In my way of "easing" into the concept, instead of fasting away from something, I instead added into my quiet time a few extras that I really wanted to enrich my study.  I found myself, for the first time, ANTICIPATING Easter.  Looking forward to it.

Lent of 2011 was different because I was 5 months pregnant.  We had just found out that Cohen was a boy and so everything seemed pretty fresh and joyful.  Lent didn't seem solemn last year. BUT, after continuing my quiet time additions, I was truly convicted that the world has holidays totally mixed up.  The most important holiday in Christianity is Easter.  Christmas gets WAY more attention, but without Easter, we'd have no hope.

For Christmas this year, Chris gave me an incredibly beautiful Advent/Lenten teaching tool.  It was created by the Voskamp family and is used as a visual to teach families about anticipating.  It looks something like this...



(Picture was taken from her website- this is not my actual wreath)

On the wreath, there is a figure of Christ and the cross for Lent, and a figure of Mary on the donkey for Advent.  If this interests you, you can go to her website and order one.


So, for Lent this year, in the Diem house, Chris and I each have an individual thing we are going to do for these next 40 days.  Together, we are going to be reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan (Chris told me to pick out the book, so hey Chris!  Guess what?!  We're reading Crazy Love!)

My individual thing is called 40 bags in 40 days.  I've been reading the book 7 by Jen Hatmaker over the last few weeks and she has really challenged my beliefs about excess and living the Gospel.  Therefore, I am getting rid of 40 bags of stuff in 40 days.  Now, this will have to be amended because of my work schedule, but it will be 40 bags nonetheless.  My list looks like this:

1.  My clothes
2.  My shoes
3.  Jewelry box
4.  Our linen closet
5.  Nightstand
6.  Under the bathroom sinks
7.  Rest.
8.  Laundry room
9.  Pantry
10.  Refrigerator
11.  Spice Cabinet
12.  Tupperware
13.  Under the kitchen sink
14.  Rest
15.  Kitchen junk drawer
16.  Entryway closet
17.  Guest closet #1
18.  Guest closet #2
19.  Guest linen closet
20.  Under guest bathroom sink
21.  Rest
22.  Make up bag
23.  Car console
24.  Rest of Car
25.  Magazines/books
26.  Cook books/recipes
27.  Desk @ work
28.  Rest
29.  Classroom cabinet
30.  Classroom cabinet
31.  Classroom cabinet (its full of TONS of stuff- most not mine)
32.  Classroom bookshelf
33.  Classroom folders
34.  Computer folder files (personal)
35.  Rest
36.  Computer folder files (work)
37.  Living room ottoman
38.  My dresser drawers
39.  Invite/magazine/envelope drawer
40.  Purses


Every 7 days, I will rest.  Following the ultimate example.

I hope that Lent is for you a time of reflection, growth, and anticipation.