February 19, 2015

Thursday Thoughts

Today I'm thinking about...


...Lent. And how it is here again. As I thought about how to make this a meaningful Lent, I recalled a conversation I had with a wonderful priest a few years ago. When I confided in him that I felt that my prayer life was not what it used to be, that I felt as if it were suffering...he gave me some wonderful words to ponder. He told me that we all have stages in our lives. This stage of my life...as a wife and mother to young children...is a blessed time. It will not last forever. If I am spending the moments in my day caring for and providing for and loving on my family...that IS prayer. He suggested that when I awake in the morning, I say a prayer to offer my works of service...the works of love...to God. And if that is all I do...it is enough. More than enough.

I was so thankful for that. I turn to those words...not as an excuse to do less...but as a validation that what I'm doing is a reflection of what is in my heart and soul. It is my intent to have a good Lent...and a good, strong prayer life. I won't waste time worrying about the fact that what I am doing is not good enough. 

This Lent we will read a daily devotion in the schoolroom, and we will pray the Stations of the Cross as a family on Wednesday evenings. And I feel good about that. : )

Here is how we spent the night before Lent began...celebrating Mardi Gras!


We gathered our supplies...I always purchase online from Party City...
 
 
and decorated the table.
 
 
We jumped for joy when Grandma Margaret came...
 
 
and wore the Mardi Gras masks little Flynn picked out!
 
 
Love this one. : )
 
 
We feasted on Jambalaya and cornbread. Peyton did it again!
 
 
And we enjoyed the individual King Cakes we made too. : )
 
 
It was a wonderful Mardi Gras celebration all the way up here in snowy, cold Pa! : )
 
 
Have a blessed Lent and a cozy weekend!
Thanks for visiting!






16 comments:

  1. It is a wonderful stage of life... I think those were wise words. Your Mardi Gras celebration looked delicious.

    Blessings,
    Amy Jo

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  2. Looks like you guys celebrated with style!! With the best company!

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  3. Amen and Amen! What a lovely Mardis Gras you had. Do you have any fun classes for Peyton in your area? I know that our grocery store chain offers things like knife skills and cake decorating and some more advanced courses. And you just sign up for one class at a time. She's such a talent in the kitchen she may not need the classes, but it sure seems like something she'd enjoy.

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  4. Love the celebration! Great picture of everywhere! Stay warm and have a great week!

    Blessings,
    Jill

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  5. Everyone, not everywhere, lol...sorry!

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  6. I love your comments about prayer and about being good enough for God. Amen and Amen! I love the idea of Lent and of sacrificing and giving our all to God. I also love your fun family Mardi Gras celebration! Enjoy this week and blessed Lent to you!

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  7. I love reading the words your priest gave you -- so wise. Your Mardi Gras celebration looks fabulous! You are all too cute. Have a wonderful and prayerful Lent.

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  8. I was thinking when I read this about a time about 10 years ago when Anna was first home and Scott and I used to drive a 90 year old woman to Mass each Sunday. I was telling her about my prayer life and how I wasn't happy with it. And she said the same thing as your conversation. And they are both right, ya know? Life with children is prayer. Daily, breathing in and out, encouraging, reaching out and even all the mundane daily tasks. It's what God has called you to right now and it's the most beautiful, amazing prayer ever. Love ya!

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  9. Love the words from your priest. I am feeling the way you were...lost, alone, busy..I need to remember those wise words.
    Hope you are having a good day!

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  10. Looks like a great celebration!! And thank you for sharing the words from your priest...sounds like many of us needed to hear them!

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  11. Oh, I love what that priest said to you. Such encouraging words for moms to little ones. It's so easy to get caught up in the big things that I'm not doing instead of taking advantage of the many opportunities I have to give of myself in little ways throughout my day. Thanks for sharing such wisdom!

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  12. Looks like a great celebration. How do you always plan such great parties!? I love your priest's words.

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  13. What a beautiful reflection on Lent, Billie Jo. Thanks for sharing your heart.
    And what a fun Mardi Gras party! I love the way you & your family celebrate!

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  14. So glad you had that encounter with a wise priest. Sometimes the simple words of another person can shed such light.
    There is no doubt the way you spend your days are in fact a prayer. Love all of your celebrations, big and small. I'm so glad you got to visit with your mom.
    By the way, can I borrow Peyton?

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  15. Oh how very lovely!!! Thanks for sharing, Blessings

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo