How much can I give?

Although there is no scriptural basis for us celebrating lent, I always have.  I call it Celebration because it always strips away my ideas of what I have planned for my life and it strips away the illusion that I have, of my own needs. I find this stripping to be the closest I ever come to seeing the true me. The person, with the characteristics, and talents that God meant for me to have and use, it all comes shining through when an uncluttered mind and heart are focused.

I have been trying to think of things that I want to do with my family for lent. One of the ideas I found on the internet, that seemed to be very popular last year is called 40 bags in 40 days. The way it works, is you purge your house of things that you could really live without. Not just the stuff you don’t want or don’t use, but things you don’t need. I like the idea of showing the kids just how much they do have in the way of material stuff, that are extra’s, that are fun, but that are not needs, and could go to someone who has far less than we do.

 I also like the idea of our food being scaled back. Of course I wouldn’t want my children to fast.  I do often put a lot of flourishes into our meals that are unnecessary; making simpler meals has many benefits. Less mess to clean, therefore creating more time for the children and family, to cultivate appreciation of what we do have, once again showing that if we live simpler, maybe with the excess from our grocery budget we could donate a generous amount and be able to give to a family with much less than us.

Of course I have done the usual calling, and emailing around looking for special projects (the kids may be old enough to volunteer now). I do this to introduce my children to the idea that lent is not about giving up in order to suffer like Jesus did. God gave us Jesus, the pain and sacrifice that Jesus gave was for us, why would he want us to do it again? Lent is about reminding and refocusing. Reminding us who and what Jesus was and is. Refocusing on making our time on earth worthwhile for the human race not just ourselves.  Such as the gift God gave us, through Jesus.  I am also making a list of all the things that I think Jesus was and is, and I am going to make a Lent Calendar and challenge myself and the kids to be each of these things at some point during lent.  

-Son of God (k so this one may be difficult)

-Visionary

-Social networker

-Teacher

-Savior

-Preacher

-Friend

-Gift

-Word of God

-Missionary

-Truth

-Courage

-Kindness

-Healer

All of these wonderful things and we rush through life barely touching on any of them. Why do we do that? Because we don’t have faith, we get caught up in day to day stuff and we think that everything else is more important than God.

When we are so far from God we feel like the most important things in our lives are those things we must provide for ourselves. Money, food, housing, cars, insurance, t.v., internet, video games, clothes, and numerous other material goods.

Lent is a time to put all of those things into the background, yes I know how do we put food and housing and transportation into the background? We don’t really, but when we clean the rest of the stuff out of our lives, there is plenty of time for God and to provide for necessities.  When we do this we come closer to God, to Jesus, and in doing so help others, enrich our lives and remember that the important things are not those that we have, but the things that we do, when in our actions we honor God.  

I want peace in my heart and God has promised it.

Psalm 29:11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in   thee.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.