Today marks the beginning of the season of Lent, “the 40 day period starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter Saturday, during which Christians prepare their hearts for Easter, and draw near to God through the practices of prayer, fasting, and giving.
Growing up and into adulthood I considered Ash Wednesday and Lent as something that “Baptists don’t do”, and dismissed any notions of needing to know what this season on the church calendar meant, let alone participating in the ways my Catholic friends were. The more I become fascinated with the rhythms of the Church calendar, the more I appreciate the times set aside to remember, and the opportunities to share with my children.
“He established a testimony in Jacob
and set up a law in Israel,
which He commanded our ancestors
to teach to their children
so that a future generation—
children yet to be born—might know.
They were to rise and tell their children
so that they might put their confidence in God
and not forget God’s works,
but keep His commands.“
Psalm 78:5-7 calls us to teach our children about what God has done and what He calls us to do in response SO THAT they would put their trust in God.
A few resources I have found helpful:
Think These Things 