Each Day is a Do-over: 4 Ways to Embrace the Begin Again Mentality This Lent
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If you are late to planning your Lent – OR – you’ve already not met the standards you had set ahead of time, fear not.
Each day of Lent imagine Jesus in heaven as a young teen yelling “do-over!!”
According to the dictionary, a “do-over” is
a new attempt or opportunity to do something after a previous attempt has been unsuccessful or unsatisfactory.
This Lent, do not be discouraged.
Life has a way of throwing us curve balls.
Spiritual warfare is very real.
There’s an old Japanese proverb that says, “Fall down seven times, get up eight” . . . or something like that.
This Lent, take each day like it’s the first day of Lent. Do not be discouraged.
I invite you to take on today like Lent just began.
The Lent that turned all that I knew upside down . . .
Last Ash Wednesday our family was flung into Lent full force when one of my children ate an entire “value sized” container of Magnesium gummies in one sitting.
My husband found the empty bottle that we just opened and we quickly realized one of our children thought they were sneaking candy. . .
We called poison control. We might have googled what could happen (I RECOMMEND YOU DO THIS NEVER).
We didn’t sleep much and prayed A LOT.
Luckily, this child showed no ill effects.
Shortly after this, another child of ours showed signs of what we thought was a really bad case of the flu.
After blood work, we were told to get to the hospital immediately.
And not just any hospital, the Children’s Hospital that is an hour away.
This child was diagnosed with both mono and diabetes.
And, before Lent ended last year, we called the ambulance to pick up our third child in what was the scariest 15 minutes of my life.
Thankfully all children are still with us and relatively healthy today.
But wow, what a Lent.
When life throws you curve balls like those, some Lenten plans might get lost in the shuffle.
How can we embrace the “do-over” mentality this Lent?
First and foremost, tell yourself It’s okay to change plans!
If you thought you were going to read more or fast diligently, but today you are faced with unexpected illness or just life “lifting” it is okay to abort plan A and come up with a Plan B.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Pick something that only takes 10 minutes.
For example, you can fast for five minutes when you have an urge to eat a sweet or have a fancy drink. Chances are if you can fast for five minutes the urge will disappear and that five minute fast might become a whole day fast!
Give the Hallow App a try. There 10 minute-ish sessions that are right on your phone were even do-able for me last year.
I’m pretty sure if you use this link you can sign up for free! I have truly enjoyed Hallow’s Lent programs the past two years.
Another 10 minute Lent option is the 40 Truth or Dare Challenge for Lent!
This “workbook” can be used as a prayer journal prompt resource or a “pick one out of hat” and discuss at dinnertime resource.
If you need something different, I’m so excited to offer you this! I wrote it last year and it’s been on my mind and heart for a long time.
2. Know that your family and household can do things together. As parents our examples are more powerful than we realize. Lent is a great opportunity to demonstrate piety, perseverance and priorities.
Colleen Pressprich is the author of Lenten Prayer for Families which was just published this month. This is an excellent resource that can be read after a meal at the table or be read at night during “story time”. There is an entry for each day. There are optional discussion questions. There are incredible illustrations! And – it’s available on Amazon for quick delivery!!
Take a look at what your parish is doing this Lent. Is there something you think you would like to experience? Seize the opportunity. Perhaps you are not sure if Stations of the Cross is a good idea for your young children . . . . you can always give it a try and see how it goes. You can even leave early if it’s not going well!
If there are several different programs being offered and one appeals to you – drag your spouse and or children. The kids really benefit from seeing you being compelled by a faith-centered event. That makes a lasting impression. Don’t miss out on the opportunity. If your spouse wants to do something and you don’t – hey, it’s Lent, Offer it up!!! 😉
3. Lower the bar
I have seen multiple posts in Facebook groups where Moms are asking “how can I do Lent with my 18 month old?”
or How can I help my child make sacrifices this Lent?*
Okay, hi . . . I have 8 year old twins. One has ZERO impulse control 365 days a year.
I can not expect this impulsivity to disappear because it’s Lent.
It’s 100% okay to meet yourself and your family members where you are in the present moment.
I’m thrilled to share with you a new resource from Ginny Kochis (Raising Quirky Catholic Kids) that meets the anxious, impulsive child right where they are in their struggles with attention, nerves, and simply trying to figure out how to be in this big world.
I gave my twins a copy of The Brain God Gave Me: Neurodivergence for Catholic Kids
I am so incredibly thankful to Ginny Kochis for creating this resource. I have learned over the past year that my children often can not control their emotions because they are seriously puzzled and confused about what feelings they are experiencing in moments of stress or just in everyday activities.
It’s not a good idea to ask someone who doesn’t understand his or her emotions to control them.
We have to be able to identify what we are feeling before we can control that feeling.
This book, The Brain God Gave Me: Neurodivergence for Catholic Kids, helps the reader to understand what is going on in their nervous system and how to navigate how their body is reacting to the world outside of them.
And here’s the best part – BOTH my 8 year old daughter and my 8 year old son LOVE this book. They like looking at it. They have both volunteered to fill out pages already without my plan of sitting with them to work on it being implemented.
*If you do have a small child and want to invite them to learn and experience Lent this year, I HIGHLY recommend The Stations of the Cross Playset from Saintly Heart this Lent. This is a great way to introduce prayerful meditation to a child who does not know how to read or is new to reading. Hands on and play experiences are so enriching and meaningful to children! This is the perfect Lent activity for little hearts!
4. Grab a pen and take out your calendar. Write a person’s name or initials on each day during Lent. No matter what happens that day, offer it for that person.
I heard this from another Catholic blogger and I so wish I remembered her name. I can’t take credit for this idea. I will say, I wrote some initials on my calendar after Lent began this year and I have seen it motivate me to make a sacrifice.
The Morning Offering Prayer begins,
“ O Jesus,
through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer You my prayers, works,
joys and sufferings
of this day for all the intentions
of Your Sacred Heart . . .
Each day there will likely be prayers, work, joy and setbacks.
If you have a person on your heart each day your love for them becomes a great motivator.
After I decided to do this I saw a clip of Kevin James being interviewed by Joe Rogan.
Here’s a clip . . . watch Kevin James talking about fasting for his daughter
I could summarize it for you but – go watch it (just come back after haha—- leave a comment and tell me what you think or how that made you feel!! Yes, you can comment under this post!!)
Whatever you do this Lent, offer it to God. Intentionally, today, offer yourself, your circumstance, your thoughts and your feelings to Him. He is drawing us closer – when we choose to do anything for Lent we are accepting His invitation to know Him and love Him better.
God Bless You . . .Abundantly.
PS. Here’s a link to some FREE Lenten Resources!
