Sunday Morning Preschool
News From the Foyer
February 2008
Hold on to your hats – here comes Lent!
Wednesday, February 6th is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season of the church. As you enter the church on Ash Wednesday, try to take in what you don’t see: no flowers or decorations of any kind. It’s a far cry from the lights and colors of Christmas. This lack of decoration helps us to remember why we observe the season of Lent, a season for prayer, fasting and almsgiving. However, rather than looking at Lent this year as a season to “do without”, let us think about what can be done this season to improve our spiritual lives.
While your very young children aren’t required to fast, let’s explore some of the things you can do as family to observe this Lenten season. Throughout this Lenten season try praying with your child, not just at bedtime, upon rising, or at mealtimes, but at odd, unexpected times, as well. Perhaps while in the car driving to a friend’s house for a play-date.
Or while you a preparing a meal, ask God to bless those who grew the grain for the pasta, and the delivery people who shipped it to the grocery store. This teaches your child that there is no right or wrong time to pray. Anytime and anywhere can be prayer time, as long as we are mindful that we are praying and of what we are praying for.
Just as you are busy with the cares of family, Jesus was equally busy with caring for God’s people. And just as Jesus took a break from his ministry, retreating to the desert to pray to his father, we should find some time in our day to “retreat” even if only for five or ten minutes to pray. If Jesus could and did, so should we; what better way to model being a disciple for your children. And how simple!
Wishing you Lenten blessings,