forty days vol. 1

Ash Wednesday: the ashes feel so cool and soothing when they are put upon my forehead. Amazing how many times I brush my hand across that area of my face in a day. I become acutely aware of just how many times.
***
Every person on the face of the planet struggles with at LEAST one of the seven deadlies. In big ways or small ways, we are doomed to wrestle with anger, lust, greed, pride, gluttony, sloth, and/or envy. They are insidious.
Injurious language, cursing, wrath, failing to forgive - anger. check.
Eating to excess and proving to be an ill example to others - gluttony. check.
Confiding in my own strength thereby showing ingratitude to God - pride. check
Neglectful of prayer time - sloth. check
Having trouble with the success of a friend (Gee whiz she has a great figure, why can't I have a figure like that?) - envy. check
The odd thing is that just when you think you have won the battle with one of them, another war will erupt in another area.
***
We all have crosses to bear. Mine is my weight. For many reasons (both known and unknown) I am overweight. But in peeking into the lives of my friends, I'd rather have this cross to bear than anyone else's.
It has a well worn mark on my shoulder. I know the feel of this cross. I know its bumps and lumps and splinters. I know the rough spots and the smooth ones.
My cross is not cancer. It is not alcoholism. It is not the loss of a husband or a child. It is not such poverty that I don't know if my children will be able to eat today.
When I look at the crosses that others have to bear, I embrace mine. I thank God for giving it to me and helping me carry it. I pray for the grace to overcome it and to use it to witness to others. I thank him for sparing me from any of the other crosses that there are to bear.
***
Giving up the internet was a good thing to give up for Lent. I am amazed at just how many times I have wanted to Google something - a good recipe for spaghetti squash, a recipe for low carb chocolate cheesecake, information on horseshoe crabs because we saw one wash up on the beach last weekend, a telephone number, snopes, etc.


***************************************************************
~Kid stuff~
At the end of my rope with number 4 I have to get him in a room with no distractions and eyeball to eyeball explain to him that he cannot just enter a room and demand at full volume that he wants apple juice. We practice saying it politely "May I have apple juice please". After a couple of times, we are both much calmer and he looks up and says "Mommy you t'oud of me?"
"Yes, honey I am very proud of you," I reassure him.
"T'ank you Mommy," he says through a beautiful smile.
Its uncanny the way he knows just how to worm his way back into that special spot in my heart.

reflections

A couple of times over the past 40 days I wrote some reflections down to post when I returned. Some of them are about my own faith journey and are full of brutally honest (with myself) discoveries.
Although I am about to go outside to enjoy this incredible day that the Lord has made, I will post these thoughts very soon. In the meantime, I can't wait to hear how your Lenten journey was. Happy happy Easter!

risen!

He is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia!

From our family to yours - HAPPY EASTER!

this just in

GAVE INTERNET UP FOR LENT. STOP
NO, IT WON'T BE FUN. STOP
I LOVE MY SAVIOR MORE. STOP
SEE YOU ON THE FLIP SIDE. STOP
:o) mg

already rejoicing

I have about 45 minutes before I enter an internet free zone. Fourty days without internet. So, since it is Mardi Gras I decided to surf the web in one big, major blowout.
In addition to my "faves", I checked places that I haven't been in awhile. One of them was the website of Allen Hunt. He is married to my cousin. He is the former Senior Pastor at a gi-normous church in Atlanta. He also has a radio show on WSB, a hu-gongoid radio station in Atlanta.
I was looking over the posts he made on his blog over the last month or two and low and behold I found this. Though I really don't have time to elaborate, suffice it to say that I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for this - nine years ago! I remember the moment like it was yesterday. I will never forget the goosebumps I had then. Or now.
Allen is one of the most level-headed people I know. With his radio program, he will be able to dispell so many of the lies and mistruths that people have been told about the Church. Some folks don't even think it is a Christian Church! Amazing.
In any case, when I read this, my internet surfing stopped and I had to rejoice! I am so thrilled for Allen and for all those people whose lives he will touch in such a beautiful way. What a brave, brave man to leave such a comfy, cozy place as he was - to follow Truth.
My words keep falling short of the joy I have.
Well, ennyhoo, whether or not you observe these next 40 days of Lent as a time to grow in holiness, I wish you Christ's love and peace now and always.
And Welcome Home, Allen!

40 days

What if I gave up the computer (other than email and research for kids stuff) for Lent? Would you still remember to read my blog after Easter?
I was at lunch today speaking with some friends of mine and their daughters. I asked what each of them was thinking about giving up for Lent. Each took their turn telling their ideas then they asked me. The question stopped me dead in my tracks. I honestly had no idea.
I stopped smoking over 3 years ago. I am dieting and not eating sugar (other than the occasional blob of peanut butter). I hardly drink at all. And well, with 5 kids, you don't get time to do "that thing" which got you 5 children in the first place.
One of the girls at the table suggested I give up the computer. I sat there stunned.
Though I don't think I surf the internet too much, I do check my favorite blogsites (see blogroll), I am a member at a Low Carb Forum and I do use Google. Like, all the time.
So, I am considering it. Another option is to DO something which would strengthen my faith in other ways. Going to perpetual adoration once a week, for example, would be an easy way to grow in love for and become closer to Jesus.
What about you, do you observe Lent? If so, what sacrifice(s) will you make?

ok, nobody exhale

For the first time in quite awhile, no one is running a fever. No one is coughing. No one is saying that their throat hurts. Oh, we have the little wintertime runny toddler noses, but no one has a virus! Praise God! I am so thankful and I pray that everyone is on the road to good health once again.