Join us Feb. 18 – Easter morning! {2015}

I am so excited to announce that I’ll be spending my days with you – almost every one of them – during the Lenten season, going through Jesus’ ministry up through his crucifixion. It’s a little deviation from my normal posting. Usually, I’d rather stick a fork in my eye than talk about the same thing every day, but this is different. This feels right.

I wrote these devotionals last year as part of a 40-day Easter journey for families and had a good response to offering it here in this space. I learned so much writing it and had a ton of fun watching my kids’ eyes grow big with wonder as they understood certain concepts for the first time with the object lessons. I want to share that with you. I want you to see the look of wonder on your kids’ faces.

My plan is to post the devotionals starting Ash Wednesday – February 18 – and continue every Monday – Saturday through Easter morning. I will post the entire supply list on Sunday, Feb. 15, and then a weekly supply list each Sunday after that so you can be prepared.

I’m super excited to do this together. Although I grew up going to church, my family did not observe Lent. In fact, it wasn’t until I was almost 30 that I realized Catholics aren’t the only ones who observe the Lenten season.

The word Lent means “spring”. The time between winter and summer when the ground thaws and the earth grows green again. It’s a time of rebirth leading up to the greatest single event in the history of mankind – the death and resurrection of Jesus the Messiah.

As a protestant who had never once considered pondering Easter as an entire season, I love the idea of Easter being on the horizon for 40 days (the time Jesus spent in the wilderness before starting his ministry) instead of the week between Palm and Easter Sundays.

Lent is meant to be a solemn season focused solely on the suffering that Jesus took on for us. Some churches don’t use their instruments during these six weeks or sing songs of celebration. Most people who observe Lent deny themselves some sort of pleasure during the 40 days. For the purposes of this Easter journey, self-denial isn’t a requirement. Sundays are considered “Feast Days.” Not to be confused with a day for celebration, they are actually set aside to allow the person to partake of whatever they have given up for Lent.

Y’all this is the real deal. You’re going to love it.  Your kids are going to love it.  Please share this post through Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter to invite your friends to join us. I’d love to fill the comment space with what ah-ha moment your family took away from a certain day. I can’t tell you how much that would bring me joy.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited for Ash Wednesday!