If you are interested in writing a Lenten reflection that will be featured here on a Sunday, please contact us. We are in need of 2 more volunteers. Thanks!
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This week’s [very short] reflection is by me, Kendra.
It’s less than 2 weeks into Lent, and I’ve already failed at my Lenten promise.
Yesterday I was tired, staring at a fridge full of random things, and my mind couldn’t put together a meal idea. I broke down and asked my husband if we could go grab burgers for dinner. Though he was just as aware of our no-out-to-eat Lenten promise as I, he quickly agreed, and we talked about how it was “just this once” and “necessary for tonight.” I know I could have found something to eat, but I broke anyways.
I’m sitting here now, in the late evening, feeling kind of “off.” Maybe the food didn’t sit well with me. Maybe it’s because the food wasn’t good for me. Who knows. I do know that I broke a promise to Jesus….a promise that I would sacrifice this first-world addiction I have to fast food as a penance for my sins.
Breaking a Lenten promise isn’t the end of the world, I know. This week I’ll get myself in gear, get enough at the grocery store, and plan ahead so I don’t find myself in that situation again. Lent will go on, and I’ll continually work at being more faithful and disciplined.
I’ll remember that Jesus did something truly amazing for me. He DIED for me. He willingly allowed himself, in full innocence, to die on the cross, for sinners like me. My little sacrifices of conveniences in my life, like fast food, are just the start of what I need to be doing to show my love for what He did for me on the cross.
Sigh. Temptation won yesterday, and in the past I might have given up on my Lenten promise altogether. Not this year. This sinner is getting back up and trying again.
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This week was kind of dead with only one post, and we apologize! Sometimes we get behind in our lives, but we’re getting back on top of it. We will be having another awesome giveaway soon, as well as new content from us and more guest posters. Don’t forget to check our contribute page and see if there is a topic you’d like to submit a post on!
So cut my husband some photography-skills slack. He isn’t too keen on learning how to use our new camera 
Woot, good hair day for me!
Shirt – Blue Ice from my Stitch Fix box (I’m excited to write a little review of them soon!)
Colored jeans (made an earlier appearance here) – Lauren Conrad Collection at Kohls
Black flats – I can’t remember and there is a nursing baby on my lap so I can’t check. Hmm.
After a week of cold (last weekend we even had snow!) it was back up to the 60s again. Yay! I never know how to dress for cold weather. Fun fact: I can’t remember the last time I owned, let alone wore, a button down shirt….so this one is sort of an adventure for me. Trust me, I put this shirt with many outfit combinations before I settled on this one, and I’m still not sure I styled it right. I feel like it needs better jewelry, or maybe a sweater over it? Sigh. I’ll figure it out someday.
The child was so excited that we actually set him down outside that he made a break for it and wouldn’t be still for pictures. I promise he was heavily supervised and was not in any danger for this picture.
Have a great Sunday!!
I don’t know about you- but I’ve always loved Lent. Yet, as I age, I find it harder and harder to make my promised sacrifices. Why do you think that is? Is it because we grow more accustomed to our little luxuries year after year? Something to pray on, maybe. Thanks for hosting, as always!
I have found exactly the same thing. For me, I think it’s the newly revert zeal that wears off and life is little less exciting and a bit more wearing. I never used to have much of an attachment to food but this Lent I’m realizing how much I use food as a crutch to get me through my day!
THanks for the linkup!
Today’s reading from Philippians so applies (especially to me) “Their god is their stomach;”. I find I fall down so many times, but know that Jesus wants me to pick myself up again and keep trying!
Kendra — I’m sending you hugs! If it helps any, I know when I feel off, I just go to confession. It seems to always be the perfect way to start a new with any sort of resolution to strive for holiness and virtue.
YES!
Don’t be discouraged, Kendra! Sometimes the humility that comes from failure is an even better penance than if we were to stick to our resolutions perfectly.
Good advice, Laura!
Oh, you look so sweet today, Kendra!
I just want to say that we all slip up, and that to feel it in our consciences is a good thing…but we are not to stay in that guilt-ridden place. The Father is waiting to pick you up!
I have been trying to cultivate a calm and gentle voice this Lent, especially in my home. Well, after feeling pretty successful, I lost it today. And I was feeling so terrible about it at the dinner table, just silently lashing myself. And then I realized, just make it right. I apologized to the whole family, and their forgiveness just lightened everything, and helped me to realize that I only failed if I gave up.
Anyway, thanks so much for hosting this wonderful link-up. It has really increased my devotion to mass, and enabled me to see that how I present myself is not about me at all, but about how I regard my children, my husband, my friends, and above all, God.
That is a funny photo of your little guy! Ours would have done the same thing!!
Keeping those promises is one of the hardest things I do all year long. I feel like I negotiate all the time. “If I do this, I will offer another rosary here”…etc. etc..etc.. I think you do your best and when you fall (we all fall) you offer up your guilt and embarrassment to him as a gift. You get up again and try harder. You can do this and so can I
Love the color of you pants. They look like spring!! As for your little one…too cute!!