Make Lent a Time for You

Caroline Godin finds ways to grow in faith during Lent despite the busyness of motherhood and working. 

Expectations and Reality  

We all expect Lent to be a time of spiritual growth through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. We make plans to pray more, attend more services, and teach our children the values of our faith through sacrifice. Seems lovely, if only it were as easy as it sounds.  

The reality is that the rest of life doesn’t stop for Lent. Hockey games are interrupting Mass times, causing us to find another Mass that weekend. After school activities, chauffeuring kids, and dealing with bickering make extra prayer difficult. Picky eaters make no-meat Fridays a nightmare. Is there time for daily Mass, or an extra Rosary, or how about getting the kids to give something up?  

We all struggle to make the season what it should be, but it is possible. 

Plan for Success  

Don’t set yourself up for failure. Find a goal or goals that will work for you. What is it you want from Lent? Do you want to grow closer to God through prayer? Are you looking to stick to a particular fast? Have you given up a favorite activity or chosen to start learning Latin or a new devotion? Any of those things could work, but you need to ask yourself a couple of questions. 

• Is this goal going to help me grow deeper in my faith? If you think you may be doing this for show (even for your kids), don’t. Leading by example is great but it must be truly genuine. You have to desire the outcome for the sake of your soul. Heaven is the ultimate goal, so is this leading you there? 
• Do I have time to commit to this goal? This means carving out time for your goal. You may need to get up earlier, stay up later, or give up other activities you enjoy. Can you do that? Will you? 
• Will I stick to it when obstacles get in my way? How dedicated are you towards this goal? After all, Lent is only 6 weeks, but they can be long weeks. 

Stick to It  

Make a plan and stick to it. I mean really, really stick to it. This is like getting a prescription from a doctor to take medication, or an exercise plan from a physical therapist. You know you benefit from keeping the plan in place, so keep it up. 

• Plan time for your sacrifice or extra work. If it’s a devotion, or a podcast, or a Rosary, you could even do this while commuting, folding laundry, or cooking. Yes, you would put more full attention on the matter without those distractions, but it’s better than skipping a whole day. 
• Set expectations for yourself each day. We’re already pulled thin, so while you may want to do all sorts of extras this Lent, make sure you have the ability before committing. Small goals are more attainable, so starting small may help get things rolling! 
• Write it down. When you know what to expect of yourself, and work that into your schedule, put it in writing. Maybe your calendar will have a reminder to listen to your podcast, or you have an hour blocked for daily Mass. Whatever the plan, make it business and set it to writing. 

Find Encouragement  

We’re in this together, mama! We could all use a little extra encouragement, so be sure to surround yourself with the help you need. 

• Join a group. Social media can be used for our good. There’s loads of groups online doing challenges together, talking about faith, and sharing their struggles. If you jive with one or more, you’ll find it easier to bear the burdens together. 
• Talk at home with your kids. Ask them how their Lenten journey is going. Tell them about yours a little too. For those with older kiddos, let your teens suggest ways to grow. This helps them grow too. For those with littles, keep it simple, but share with them that you’re working on loving God even more right now. 
• Journey with a friend. You don’t have to boast your sacrifice to the public, but sharing with just one friend or loved one helps. Together, you can encourage one another to stick to those plans and even pray together. 
• Read the saints. Saints lived difficult lives and we look to them often for intercession. Find a saint or two that might be best to pray for you this Lent, and learn about his or her life. 

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The reality is that the rest of life doesn’t stop for Lent. #CatholicMom

Lent is for You  

Lent isn’t just a Church thing; it’s for you, your personal growth of faith in God. You put so much of your time into family. So, why not make time and effort in your own spiritual journey? As you grow closer to God, your spouse, your children, even your neighbors will notice. It’s contagious seeing someone find joy in simple things.   

Allow yourself time with God to contemplate the meaning of Lent for you. God wants us all together with Him in heaven one day. Now is the perfect time to work on that journey as we prepare ourselves for Easter. 

Copyright 2023 Caroline Godin
Images: Canva