I walked into my office, saw this email and hovered there, standing and reading, poised for flight. By the fifth paragraph, I was sitting down. I'm still sitting and absorbing all the encouragement of this post. Thank you for opening a hopeful door to Lent!
Thank you. In years past I was able to do positive things for Lent, like call my bedridden mother-in-law or give to the food bank each week. Then Lent ended and I realized I needed to continue doing what I had started. Now I’m in a different position and agonizing over what sacrifice I should make to honor Christ’s sacrifice. After reading your piece I’ve done a 180 and decided to do my best to give up complaining for Lent. That will be tough, but will make everyone around me happier.
I have put a bag in my closet on the first day of Lent and then each day of 40 put a good clothing item or other articles of apparel in it and at the end taken it to the charity shop.
Growing up in the 1960’s in an equally large (I’m oldest of 11) Catholic family…my maiden name is Pope, for gosh sakes… was quite the adventure. My parents had converted to Catholicism when they married. My mom was raised Christian Science and my dad Lutheran.
While they embraced many of the traditional ideals, my mom made it her mission to create a Lent season of giving. We were challenged to find a way to give…from helping elderly neighbors, to writing letters of gratitude to our grand and great grandparents, to just being more charitable in our thinking.
This positive choice became a lifelong mission of volunteering and giving! Thank you for this lovely piece❣️
Really, well, well-written! I like the 40 Thank You's in 40 days, praying for people you don't like & for calling someone by their name when speaking to them &, yeah, that little thing called listening!
I walked into my office, saw this email and hovered there, standing and reading, poised for flight. By the fifth paragraph, I was sitting down. I'm still sitting and absorbing all the encouragement of this post. Thank you for opening a hopeful door to Lent!
I love the image of that open door.
Love this. I'm a lifelong Catholic, too, but have come to believe in the greater power of giving versus giving up.
It IS a greater power!
Thank you. In years past I was able to do positive things for Lent, like call my bedridden mother-in-law or give to the food bank each week. Then Lent ended and I realized I needed to continue doing what I had started. Now I’m in a different position and agonizing over what sacrifice I should make to honor Christ’s sacrifice. After reading your piece I’ve done a 180 and decided to do my best to give up complaining for Lent. That will be tough, but will make everyone around me happier.
Hello Regina!
This piece greatly reflects the beauty of your heart, your character, and you; the Beautiful Lady that you truly are.
I prayerfully wish you all the goods of life yet to come! May they be many, surprising, and each one so very special. All, for you, from God.
Ron B.
I have put a bag in my closet on the first day of Lent and then each day of 40 put a good clothing item or other articles of apparel in it and at the end taken it to the charity shop.
Amen to ALL of this. Thank you!
Made me cry! Thanks for your thoughtful post.
Thanks for great words of encouragement!
Thank you…I’m sharing your post with our family and circle of friends.♥️
I loved the idea of writing a note of gratitude and encouragement each day of Lent.💜
Growing up in the 1960’s in an equally large (I’m oldest of 11) Catholic family…my maiden name is Pope, for gosh sakes… was quite the adventure. My parents had converted to Catholicism when they married. My mom was raised Christian Science and my dad Lutheran.
While they embraced many of the traditional ideals, my mom made it her mission to create a Lent season of giving. We were challenged to find a way to give…from helping elderly neighbors, to writing letters of gratitude to our grand and great grandparents, to just being more charitable in our thinking.
This positive choice became a lifelong mission of volunteering and giving! Thank you for this lovely piece❣️
Thank you for the encouragement and the memory of JFK & the Pope hanging side by side, as they did at my grandparents house.
Really, well, well-written! I like the 40 Thank You's in 40 days, praying for people you don't like & for calling someone by their name when speaking to them &, yeah, that little thing called listening!
Thank you. 💜