Growing Closer to Him

"Lent is a period of preparation in our hearts and minds observed before the joy of Easter. During this season we reflect upon and participate in the sufferings of Jesus Christ that he endured for our salvation." ~ Kendra Tierney

Lent starts today.  It is a day of fasting and prayer for us and although Lent can feel long and also 'hard' at times, it is a wonderful time in our liturgical calendar to focus on the sufferings of Jesus. 

I did some preparation reading and brought some ideas to our dinner time table so that our family would all be ready for Ash Wednesday. 

"Lent is a time to perfect oneself with the help of grace. It is a time to grow closer to God, to take up new practices that keep lead us toward him, and to leave behind practices that draw us from him." 

I love this book and here are some of the things I loved from the chapter on the Lenten season. This is not a book to use as a focus or devotional during lent. It is simply a book that goes through the liturgical calendar with helpful advice. It helps you see things from a new perspective. Maybe soon I'll post some of my favorite things for lent... when I can! 

 

We weren't all together for Ash Wednesday today but this picture sure made me smile when it popped up on my phone! 

I went on the way home from my school (no getting me out of the house after being gone all day, ha!) 

And after our first no meat dinner... which was really good! 

Scott and Anna went later! 

"Our goal as Christians is to be attached to God and the things of Heaven and to be detached from sin and the things of the world." 

I love that and it (and other parts of this book) really helped me to decide on my focus for this lenten season. 

"For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also." Matthew 6:21 

Here is a past post on lent 

Lent ten years ago in our home