Lent is the season leading up to Easter during which many Christians give up something to show the devotion to their faith. The reasoning goes, “If Jesus Christ gave up his life for us, certainly we can take this season of reflection to give up something significant and devote ourselves more to Christ’s cause.”
Many people decide to give up something as a bit of a personal challenge during Lent. It might be something they enjoy – like coffee or chocolate – or it could be something they think they should have less of – like alcohol or Facebook. It is really a personal decision, but the focus remains on giving something up and devoting that time/energy to serving Christ and furthering goodwill towards all people.
But what do we do with our kids? Do we teach them that if they love Jesus they won’t eat dessert until Easter? Or no video games? Or cartoons? I think there’s something to be said about starting a spiritual discipline when they are small and letting them grow into it. But if we’re asking them to give up the same things we usually take away as a punishment, are we actually teaching discipline, or are we suggesting that God doesn’t want us to have fun? There’s probably a fine line there, and you’ll have to figure that out for your own family.
Let me share with you something our family has done several years for Lent. Rather than giving something up, we decided to add something that focused us on who Jesus is and what he means to us. Rather than just swapping time and energy from one thing to another, we chose to add a practice, just for a season, that would draw us closer as a family and add to the work of Christ in our world.
This practice can be as simple or involved as you want it to be. You can pray together every day for the next 40 days. Do it either in the morning before breakfast, or at night before everyone goes to bed. Maybe you could read a book together – either something light and fluffy or deep and contemplative. It’s your faith, so it’s your choice. If you’ve got the financial resources, try buying someone you don’t know a cup of coffee on your way into the office each morning. Or maybe find a food bank to volunteer at as a family.
Get creative.
Have fun.
The possibilities are endless.
And when you arrive at Easter morning, not only will you have been practicing your faith in a real, practical way for 40 days, but you’ll have made a journey with Christ. You’re setting yourself, and most importantly, your family, on solid spiritual ground for the rest of the year.