Rended Hearts, Not Garments: Thinking About Lent

Yes! Yes! Yes!

Most years I just dread Lent. Feet dragging, temper-tantrum throwing, dread. This year, though, I could not be more ready. The events of the last month have taken a major toll on me and I am ready for a period of pulling away from the world and holding on to Christ for dear life.

As part of my birthday present from Atticus, I got to spend an hour by myself at adoration on Saturday. It was so wonderful, and had been shamefully long since I’d been. There’s just no substitute for time with God.

I have spent far too much time lately arguing with people on Face.book and not nearly enough time talking with God. You all know how it is. When your day starts with the internet instead of prayer, it’s going to lack balance.

Lent can’t come soon enough this year, though I was grateful to be able to indulge in birthday celebration before Ash Wednesday. Now that I got that bottle reasonably sized glass of champagne out of my system, I am ready for some penitence.

Thus, a family plan. And a personal plan.

These are my personal goals:

Morning offering and/or Magnificat morning prayer said over my coffee each morning

Read Magnificat daily reflection and Mass readings each day during Maggie’s nap

Pray rosary every Friday of Lent

Stay off of Facebook (other than to add my posts from here and IGNITUM TODAY)

Complete one spiritual book during Lent (I haven’t chosen one yet, and I’d love a suggestion!)

And we have some family goals as well:

Bedtime prayers with Maggie each night (which we have been doing really well with lately)

Atticus and I read a reflection from one of the following books each evening

and

I also want to do something special with Maggie for Lent, so I found a few books which look good. I’m hoping to choose one or two.

and this one:

We have two other books by this author and I love them!

We are also going to fast from meat on all of the Wednesdays of Lent in addition to Fridays. It’s a little extra penance, and it also helps us to remember that for most of the world’s population, meat is a luxury which they do not daily have.

I’m putting together a post with some of my favorite meatless recipes, and I hope to have it up by Ash Wednesday or shortly after. Basically, buy a lot of beans! Beans and eggs.

Now it’s your turn. What are your plans for Lent? Do you have any suggestions for spiritual reading or kids books about Lent/Easter? Inquiring minds want to know!