“Okay… Lent. It’s the preparing the heart for Easter. Like going with Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, that we might come face to ugly face with our enemy. Our sacrificing that we might become more like Christ in His sacrifice.” -Ann Voskamp
We celebrate Lent every year in our home. It is not something that we do with our church community but it's something that both Matt and I grew up doing in our homes and we believe it holds great value. As most of you know, Matty V is big on fasting and has done more than one 40 day fast. Lent is a way for us to connect to the Lord as a family through fasting.
This year, Matt and I had decided together that we thought giving up all sweets would be a good choice because it would be a healthy thing for all of us and also a hard sacrifice. Now we don't have sweets every day but my boys do request that I always have a few batches of frozen cookie dough in the freezer for our movie nights and the occasional 1/2 gallon of Blue Bell. So 40 days without any of that would be tough for us.
At bed time when we were praying and reading the Bible last night, Matt announced that Lent had begun and we were going to discuss as a family what to give up. He said how we had thought sweets would be good and Jack immediately said no to that. He was quite willing to give up books, coloring, and outside play time (which was actually really surprising). We explained that fasting was the act of sacrifice, giving up something to the Lord so that you can grow closer to Him. Matt looked at me and I said, "I think we should leave him to pray about it and see if the Lord speaks to him." So we prayed, read, and told the boys goodnight. I was fully anticipating that he would wake up in the morning wanting to give up homework for Lent. :) Regardless, I prayed that the Lord would speak to him. Minutes later, he called both of us in to his room and said, "I prayed and I keep hearing sweets, sweets, sweets. I think that's what I am supposed to give up."
Ah...isn't the Lord awesome? He can speak to all of his people...big and small. And I believe He speaks the little ones more often because their hearts are so open to Him.
40 days of no sweets has begun...
I didn't know you guys celebrate Lent. My mom and her side of the family do and I've participated the last few years. Tuesday and Wednesday I prayed about what to give up Lent and nothing ever stood or was made clear. I was ready to give whatever up and nothing. The only the Lord kept saying (and a few times through other people), that instead of giving up something how about giving more of myself to Him by praying and being in His Word. So that's my Lent this year. :)
ReplyDeleteI love celebrating Lent - I also grew up celebrating Lent with my family and it holds heavy traditions and importance for me.
ReplyDeleteI love that your boy heard from Lord! He is so good to speak to anyone who is willing to listen!
I love that you are giving more of yourself to Him this year, Jess! One year before Jack could really understand the sacrifice of fasting, we read the Bible twice a day together. The Lord will bless you for leaning in!
ReplyDelete