Even though Lent has already started this year, it is never too late to add new resolutions to aid to your Spiritual journey through these 40 days. There are so many wonderful ideas and ways to enrich your Lenten season that I want to share a few specific ones I am embracing this year.
40 Days for Life has started their Spring campaign to run through Lent. People in 167 cities are physically joining to focus on their mission of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion. If you don’t live in one of the locations, you can always join their email list to receive daily updates and a daily devotional. It is amazing to see the power of prayer working in our communities.
40 Bags in 40 Days is a great Lenten challenge for those of us surrounded by STUFF, as I recently wrote about. You simply commit to ridding your home of 40 bags of “stuff” during the 40 days of Lent. You choose what size bag and whether to give it away or throw it in the garbage. Call me crazy, but this might be one of the easier things, but really necessary things, that I commit to doing this Lent. Faith and Family Connect has even created a group for those needing extra support and reminders to stay motivated for all 40 bags.
1 Million Pillowcase Challenge is a new one I just discovered but must join. This challenge is not specific to the Lenten season, but a great way to give some of your Time, Talent and Treasure to others. They ask you to sew a new pillowcase and donate it locally to a charity of your choice. Some of their suggested charities are Catholic Charities, a nursing home, Child Protective Services, a hospice or a cancer center or a battered woman’s shelter. I must give credit to my friend’s blog, Karamat – A Sewing Boutique, where I first read about the Challenge. She has posted a wonderful picture tutorial for making a pillowcase and is herself committed to making one pillowcase a week to donate during Lent.
Consoling the Heart of Jesus: A Do-It-Yourself Retreat comes highly recommended if you are looking for a new spiritual book for Lent. I ordered this book for myself after reading the wonderful review by Danielle Bean on Faith and Family Live and then visiting the author’s website. Danielle’s review in part states, “This book is a flexible retreat, a conversation with Christ, and a personal call to greater holiness.” Her words, “This flexible and forgiving book meets you where you are and nudges you toward greater holiness—almost before you even realize it.” sound like something I could use this Lenten season.
Please share more Lenten resolutions, challenges or aids in our comments. I’d love to hear what you and your family are doing this year.
Whatever you choose to do this special time of year, I pray you are successful and your choices move you closer on your journey to Christ.
