Sundry Things

There's a lot going on today: Valentines to be made; cookies to bake; menu-planning; laundry; trip-planning . . . Foo Foo is preparing for a trip to NC; we're heading to the Hub to see some relatives; Valentine's Day is near; Lent is coming.

The tie is creeping along--it should be sailing! Why can I knit a sweater in two weeks, but something like a tie (or a scarf) takes a lifetime?! Nonsense. I'm double-knitting the thing now that I've decreased down to the tying part. Honestly, though, I've been at the point where I want to cast on for something else for a week or so!

Like Beatle's dress. I can't wait to put that one together. I'm even eager to get back to Doodle's sweater.

Today in school we'll put together Valentines and begin talking about Lenten sacrifices. I used to hate Lent when I was a kid. What was the point of giving up sweets, after all? Now that I understand better, I want to explain it to my kids: we aim to do better.

We aim to take our focus off ourselves and our creature comforts--to remind ourselves of What is important--Who we should be focusing on. We back away from our insular little selves and worlds, and turn (daily, hourly) to His ordering of the world--His way of doing things. Strip it down a little: stop relying on the comforts of appetite, and allow him to work his wonderful Will without me in the way. That's awesome!

As I think of it, I'm so grateful that He was so kind as to grant us a Church with Sacraments, graces aplenty, and seasons to draw us near to Him. He anticipates all of our needs, and Lent is like a wonderful antidote to all of our barely-conscious, selfish habits that move us further away from Him. I love Lent these days.

In addition to our family sacrifice, I'm encouraging the older ones to take on some extra devotions. I'll teach Doodle (and perhaps Beatle--she catches a lot just by listening) one of my favorites: The Divine Mercy Chaplet. What a wonderful way to prepare one's heart for the holiest Feast of the year. For Foo Foo, we'll be doing some intensive catechesis. Sadly, the parish school is pretty thin . . . not nearly what he needs to understand his faith in a world like ours.

With the grace of God working in our home, hopefully our children will grow to love and look forward to Lent, too. Do better: we all could!