Lent another year to consider fasting and praying more and asking for patience!

This Lent seems to have started off with me being a little stressed. My husband has been in and out of the hospital during January with pneumonia. I thought that he was getting better, but today the doctor wants him to go back to get tests done because he thinks he may have fluid in his lungs, etc. Anyway, praying he won't have to go back to hospital. 

Let me back up a little with my story here; I am a mother of 4 children and they are from 9 to 3 years old. It does take a lot of effort to keep them in line sometimes. I really missed hubby when he wasn't here. I enjoy having someone watch the children if I need to go to the store or whatever. So, imagine just grocery shopping with 4 children plus running other needed errands! 

Maybe, God is just asking for me to be more patient with His Plan. If I can't make the women's retreat at our chapel, then I'll find something else to go to later. 

What is God asking you to do this Lent? What crosses do you have to bear? Perhaps you are looking for more things to do to help others? Next time you see a mom with her hands full of 4 kids at the store; maybe offer to help her take her groceries to her car? Next time you see a mother struggling with children behaving at Mass, maybe offer to help her watch some of them so the mother can have some peaceful time at Mass? Maybe, just offer a bit of help to anyone who needs it this Lenten season. You may just make some mother or father smile! 

Another thing, God maybe asking you to fast for someone. Think about taking the time this week to fast for a friend in need. As our priest on Sunday (First Sunday of Lent) suggested that fasting is good for the soul; just because we are only obligated to fast 2 times a year; does not mean we should not do it more often. And if you can't fast from food, there's a lot of other things to fast from. You can fast from Facebook for a day or two. I know I love talking to my friends sometimes a little too much. Soon an hour goes by and you didn't even know you were on there that long. So, take a day off of Facebook or other media outlets. Take time to just sit and pray more. 

I think I'll do a book review on a new book I got in the mail "Mornings with St. Therese". For now, I want to close with a short prayer:

Dearest Jesus, help Guide our Lenten Journey and help us pray and fast in ways that please you. Help us to help others during this Lent and be less selfish. Help us learn that you are always with us by our sides even carrying us across the sands. Let us ask your Mother to help us as well each day. Amen.