{"id":2540,"date":"2013-02-14T07:00:16","date_gmt":"2013-02-14T12:00:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/christophers\/?p=2540"},"modified":"2014-12-26T11:10:12","modified_gmt":"2014-12-26T16:10:12","slug":"hearts-and-flowers-and-lenten-checklists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/christophers\/2013\/02\/hearts-and-flowers-and-lenten-checklists\/","title":{"rendered":"Hearts and Flowers and Lenten Checklists"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Since it\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day \u2013 and the second day of Lent \u2013 today\u2019s post combines the best of both worlds with insights from other writers.<\/p>\n

Last week I shared some advice for single people on Valentine\u2019s Day<\/a>, so today the focus is on couples. First, fellow Patheos blogger Pat Gohn offers an idea<\/a> for the man who STILL hasn\u2019t gotten his wife or girlfriend a Valentine\u2019s gift: a genuine, from-the-heart love letter.<\/p>\n

For Valentine\u2019s Day, or really, for any special occasion\u2014her birthday, your anniversary, you name it\u2014you want to do the uncommon thing, the heroic thing, the thing that sets you apart from anyone else in the world, the thing that she will carry in her heart, or in her top dresser drawer, or purse, until next Valentine\u2019s Day and beyond.<\/p>\n

She wants to hear and know the words that only you can give her: words from you that describe how you cherish her and value your love together.<\/p>\n

How do you accomplish that?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

You\u2019ll have to read the rest of Pat\u2019s post<\/a> for the step-by-step guide.<\/p>\n

For the woman who doesn\u2019t know what to get her man, Frank Weathers suggests (wait for it)\u2026 Bacon Roses!<\/a> Yes, roses made out of bacon. This may not be an ideal gift for those whose arteries are already sufficiently hardened, but as a once in a lifetime treat, it might be fun.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

The fact that Valentine\u2019s Day falls during Lent, which has its own obligations, can make your life seem even more overwhelming. Kerry Weber<\/a> reminds herself not to approach the season as something you just need to get through:<\/p>\n

Lent itself can sometimes seem to be little more than a checklist of things to do or not do, to say or to avoid saying. \u201cAlleluia\u201d is out. And \u201catonement\u201d is in. Add to that my everyday to-do list, and the entire season can be completely overwhelming.<\/p>\n

I find myself wondering: How am I supposed to live a normal life while doing all of these \u201cextra\u201d things for Lent?<\/p>\n

The short answer is: I\u2019m not. Lent is meant to be a bit disruptive, to push us outside of our comfort zones. Lent is a time of preparation, of purification. But while all my lists are well-intended, it\u2019s all too easy to lose sight of their larger purpose, and to forget what, exactly, I\u2019m trying to prepare for.<\/p>\n

Lent is meant to help us recognize and identify with the suffering of others, to consider others\u2019 needs before our own\u2014 and one doesn\u2019t do that simply by crossing items off a list.<\/p>\n

Participating in the Lenten traditions of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving are not meant to distract from, but be enhancements to our everyday life. They open us up to be more loving, more giving; they help us strip away those things in our life that are extraneous.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As Kerry spells out (her full article is here<\/a>), Lent is meant to move us towards love, to teach us to put the needs of others ahead of our own. In that sense, it\u2019s similar to Valentine\u2019s Day \u2013 or at least what Valentine\u2019s Day should be.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, the word that sums up both Valentine\u2019s Day and Lent is \u201clove.\u201d It\u2019s also the only word that sums up God.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> What to Give Up for Lent<\/a><\/p>\n

Tom McDonald:<\/strong> 9 Ways to Keep Lent<\/a><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Since it\u2019s Valentine\u2019s Day \u2013 and the second day of Lent \u2013 today\u2019s post combines the best of both worlds with insights from other writers. Last week I shared some advice for single people on Valentine\u2019s Day, so today the focus is on couples. First, fellow Patheos blogger Pat Gohn offers an idea for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":488,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,49],"tags":[113,117],"class_list":["post-2540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-catholic","category-holidays","tag-catholic","tag-holidays"],"yoast_head":"\nHearts and Flowers and Lenten Checklists<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Since it's Valentine's Day - and the second day of Lent - today's post combines the best of both worlds with insights from other writers. 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