I find myself being reflective this time of year. It's the beginning of a new year and the Lenten season. So many Catholics I know think of the things they will "give up" for Lent and what a hardship this will be. I can't help but think, this is not a hardship really. If we stop and think of what Jesus "gave up" for us, we do so little to thank Him for His sacrifice.
I was listening to my daughters last night talk about what they are giving up for Lent & how important it was for them. I was proud to know that they were giving up things that they really enjoy in reflection of the Lenten Season but yet, I wonder if they truly understand what this means. I know within the next few days we will spend some time discussing this.
I have been constantly reminded that God makes things happen in His way in His own time. We can ask, pray, even demand things from Him but it will not happen unless He wishes it so. I know of several times that I have prayed & asked where He was when I needed Him most. When I look back now I am reminded of "Footsteps". There are many times in my life when I can look back and see "one set of footsteps in the sand". I know of many times when, to me, it seemed like God was not there with me at the time but I know that it was those times when He was carrying me & guiding me.
I hope that with the way our world is now & with raising my children, I can pass on to them that no matter how dark it seems, God is always with us. He may be right beside us or He may be carrying us but He is always there. All we need to remember is to pray and try to be the better version of ourselves that He wishes us to be.
There are so many blessings that He has allowed me to have in my life. So, I will try to use this Lenten Season to be more thankful for the sacrifices He made so that I could have those blessings. I'm not going to try to make this about hardships or sacrifices, I want to make this about celebrating. Celebrating that God sacrificed His only son so that we may live. How wonderful is that? That He gave His only son for us. That is the most noble sacrifice and we should honor that and feel humbly blessed.
