Ian wanted ashes on his forehead. Payton did not. Ian didn't want to wash them off. Payton thought the whole ritual was a little disturbing....which it is, mind you. From ashes you came and to ashes you shall return. Yikes! I'm not sure if Ian fully gets it, but I have a feeling Payton does. Maybe that's why they have the different reactions.
Anyway, we also started a Lenten devotion at Supper time. Ideally, we would do it at breakfast, but lets face it, we're too busy waking up, eating breakfast and getting off to school, to focus on a Lenten Bible study. I've done devotions with the kids in years past. The ones for Advent are much easier to find. The devotions for kids during Lent are pretty scarce and not really what I was looking for....Repent! Change your Heart! Nails in the Cross!
While, yes, these are appropriate themes for Lent. I wanted to add something to our routines. I wanted to build up the kids. I wanted to focus on all the positive lessons and stories, that will help shape their character and attitudes....not brow-beat them. So, I'm making up our own devotions for Lent focusing on Gratitude.
If you google Gratitude, there are quite a few articles and devotions written about it. Two sources I really enjoyed were www.thechangeblog.com/gratitude and www.Greatergood.berkeley.edu. Some of the take-aways that I got out of these sources is that people that practice gratitude are happier, healthier, and more connected individuals, especially children and adolescents. I want my children to be happy, healthy, connected individuals, that derive this sense of gratitude, not just from within themselves, but outside of themselves. God gives us many gifts, both large and small, to help us achieve the goodness in our lives. Through the stories and teachings of Jesus, the family and I are taking a journey in Gratitude during Lent.
I'm picking out New Testament stories and parables and presenting them in the spirit of thankfulness. Each day we'll read a story, discuss it, and put a sticker on our tree. We are turning all the brown and black leaves into colorful hearts and stars. We'll write a short phrase or word that summarizes what we talked about on the sticker, along with a number...we're counting down to Easter!
We'll see how it goes. The kids were very engaged at last night's discussion of Jesus healing the ten lepers :) Here's a picture of our devotional tree:
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