lent... waiting till the last minute again!

So, I should have written this a few weeks ago, but then I wouldn't have had any ideas, because I just started thinking about what we should do for Lent yesterday!! Yikes!

My friend Jennifer shared this sweet and simple (I'm all about simple these days!) prayer idea for children:

The Jelly Bean Prayer

Red is for the blood Christ gave
(each morning we choose something to sacrifice that day to earn the red jellybean. It has to be something we have had the opportunity to have or do on that day)

Green is for the palm's cool shade
(green jellybeans are earned for good deeds. It was a good deed to provide shade for Jesus with the palm)

Yellow is for God's light so bright
(yellow jellybeans are earned for sharing God's light through kindness to others)

Orange is for prayers at twilight
(orange jellybeans are earned for attentive behavior during bedtime prayer time)

Blue is for sweet rest at night
(these are earned for going to bed with a good attitude)

White is for the Grace of Christ
(these we cannot earn because grace is a free spiritual gift from God)

Purple is for His days of sorrow
(we earn these through apologizing to anyone we hurt with our words or deeds that day)

Pink is for each new tomorrow
(pink jellybeans are earned when we forgive those who apologized to us for hurtful behavior)

Then, you buy a the jelly beans and have the children add them in a clear jar or glass till Holy Saturday. On Holy Saturday Night, Mom and Dad fill the jar up the rest of the way with the white jelly beans which represent God's free gift of grace, which we cannot earn. So when they wake up Easter morning, their jar is full, both from their own good works and from the love of God (and Mom and Dad!) Thanks, Jen!

Lenten Family Calendar

I also found this great Lenten Family Calendar, which I've seen before somewhere. I found it at www.adifferentvoice.com. It's a nice simple calendar with something different to do each day of Lent. Great for kids!


As for me,

I really liked Fr. Brain McMaster's homily at St.Mary's this last Sunday. He spoke about making Lent less about what you give up and more about your relationship with Jesus. He said we should be as eager to heal or grow our friendship with Jesus as we are eager to rush ourselves to the doctor to heal our bodies when we're sick. Interesting thought!

AND, my friend Marcel wrote this great mega-post about Lent 2009 at the Aggie Catholic Blog. This is one of the few blogs that is ALWAYS worth reading - never a waste of time. If you don't read it already, add it to your list! And, Marcel, yes, your brochure is coming. I promise!