Ash Wednesday can be confusing and hard to explain to younger children. It is a day when we remember that we all have sinned and all will die one day. I recommend to people that they shouldn't hide death from children. They don't need to be exposed to the ugly or scary parts of death but they don't need to be sheltered from the reality of death. That is the same for sin. Children already understand that there are things we do right and things we do wrong. Carefully helping them to see that when they do things wrong that it makes God sad and that there are consequences to this. During Lent it is a great time to talk with children about both of these things in an age appropriate way.
Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent. Lent is supposed to last for 40 days, but if you count the days from Ash Wednesday through Easter, you’ll come up with a total of 46 days.
During Lent it is a practice to fast from something in efforts to create a new life pattern. This year during lent don't just fast from something but add something in its place.
Give up harsh words: use generous one.
Give up unhappiness: take up gratitude.
Give up anger: take up gentleness and patience.
Give up pessimism: take up hope and optimism.
Give up worrying: take up trust in God.
Give up complaining: value what you have.
Give up stress: take up prayer.
Give up greed: take on sharing.
Give up telling lies: take on telling the truth.
Give up teasing: take on saying kind words.
Give up greed: take on sharing.
Give up telling lies: take on telling the truth.
Give up teasing: take on saying kind words.
Give up judging others: discover Jesus within them.
Give up sorrow and bitterness: fill your heart with joy.
Give up selfishness: teak up compassion for others.
Give up being unforgiving: learn reconciliation.
Give up words: fill yourself with silence, and listen to others.
Give up the mask of self: Become Living Proof of God’s Love, one person at a time.
What are you going to give up and take up this year?
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