Don't Fret About Lent. Restore Instead

I’m sitting here on the afternoon of our third snow day in a row. Yes, I’m a seasoned homeschooler, and a homeschooler through and through, but this year as you know, I’m also sending two of our kids *to* school. This week, I’ve learned that I both love and hate school and snow days. Not having to drive, get up early, make lunches? Love. Stuck in the house with SIX kids and little chance of getting out because of the 20ish inches of snow and coughs? Hate. IMG_20160205_215853

Anyway. I’m not going to whine and complain all day. I have no shame about admitting when I’m about to be in over my head, when I’m crying from the depths of my soul for something to give, for anything to refresh me, for God to please just help me not be a crazy, bitchy, nagging mom all day long. It would be a shame if I fell into the pit of crabby-mama. It is not a shame to admit my weakness and beg for the grace to just do a bit better each moment. There is also no shame in admitting when our souls are deep need of restoring.

The beauty of Lent? It essentially is about restoration. It’s the culmination of the great story of God’s renewal and restoration of the human race. Oh, sure, it hurts. It’s painfully awful to look at how horrible sin is, and what greater tragedy is there than the pain that sin causes? It’s gruesome and messy and unpleasant to consider the torture and death of Christ. Have you seen “The Passion”?? What we recall during Lent isn’t butterflies and rainbows.

And fasting? I don’t wanna give up coffee or chocolate (but I am going to eat much less sugar) either (hear me whine). I’m not sold on giving up social media (see this post), but I should definitely self-moderate my time better. Fasting is no fun.

But Lent is definitely a great season in the Church, and I think it is absolutely beautiful and about restoring life. The 40 days lead directly into the Triduum and smack into Easter, the great climax of all stories: the battle is won. Sin and death are BEAT DOWN forever, because Love wins and Jesus RESTORES us to life in Him.

I need that.

I mean, I really, really, really NEED that.

I’m heading into Lent with a trail of crumpled tissues and barf bags behind me. My days are filled with so many things to do, and everyone is getting sick leaving me too little time for myself… Lent needs to hurry up and get here so I can start begging on my knees for the special kind of renewal and refining and restoring that comes so unique and special during those six weeks.

Like a breath of fresh air and a cold drink on a hot day, Lent can be a time that boosts our souls and lifts us ever so slightly closer to heaven.

You know what? I’m not actually clever enough to know what I should *do* during Lent to make it fruitful. Giving up coffee isn’t going to do a darn thing for my soul (though I might start buying fair trade and do some good with my buying power). I am simply not very good at knowing how to work on that restoration (although getting to the sacrament of Reconciliation will be on my list). This is one of those times I am ever grateful to the communion of saints for the wisdom and spiritual practices shared. Also, social media.

Seriously.

You know, if St. Maximillian Kolbe used the typewriter in his day, and St. John Paul II urged the use of media for spreading the Good News, I feel we ought to do just that. So I’m turning to the women I know through social media and blogging, and tapping into their wisdom and prayer tools.

This Lent, just like last, I am going to follow along with my sisters in Christ, sharing prayer and quiet time, and let mercy and grace wash over me. I’m ready to read, listen, and pray with Blessed Is She and the Restore workshop. Restore was so beautiful last year. This year, I can’t wait to sit with ba cup of tea and listen to the new podcasts, savor time to pray, think, and act. There are even ideas and tutorials for refreshing the home, our domestic churches, with lovely hand-crafted items.

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I am ready. I am looking forward to quiet, dark mornings with lit candles, and my journal and prayers (which I am going to print beforehand, from the Restore e-book).