Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Seasons

Years ago I remember telling people that Florida does indeed have a change of seasons; there's hurricane season, lovebug season, orange blossom season, etc...people weren't buying it. That's my story though and I'm sticking to it! I do, however, have a few amendments to the original story. The first one being that over the past two years we really have a had "winter" which is very distinct from our other seasons. Anytime you have to have the windows closed because it is too cold, that's winter! When you find yourself outside in biting wind attempting to cover plants that will ultimately die anyway...winter! Now it is time to prune away the dead branches as the new buds are beginning to bloom. The current weather is definitely different from the weather 2 months ago and the weather 2 months from now. There is no question that Florida has a really long summer (like 6 months long), but in the other six months there are definitely changes, you just have to know where to look. This post isn't about weather though. It's not even about new flowers blooming. It's really more about the pruning away of the dead branches. It's about Lent. I've always been a big holiday decorator. I've always said Florida had a change of seasons. I've always been aware that a homeschooling mother's perspective is very different in September than it is in March. I've always been very attuned to the "feel" of different seasons, the "feel" of Christmas, the "feel" of summer. I've always been Catholic. Until a few years ago though I'd never appreciated the Liturgical Seasons. It seems to me it is human nature to long for subtle changes, to long for seasons. If it weren't then wouldn't everyone live in Florida? Isn't it so cool that the Church gives us the opportunity to make these subtle changes? People prepare for big events in their life don't they? Moving into a new home, having a baby, even a birthday party, all of these events require preparation. Just like Advent is a time to prepare for the joy of Christmas, Lent is a time for us to prepare to celebrate the joy of Easter. I will very much enjoy eating a bunch of chocolate eggs on Easter morning after 40 days without chocolate. More importantly though, I'm trying to prepare my heart for the realization of Easter. The small sacrifices that I am attempting are nothing like Jesus' sacrifice. They aren't easy though and they are real reminders for me. If I didn't have this opportunity that is build into the Church year, would I take the time to make sacrifices on my own? Maybe, maybe not. I do generally try to improve myself fairly often, that's what comes with being friends with a bunch over overachievers (also known as homeschooling moms). A new school year is often a time when I try to impliment new ideas. January 1st is another time where I might try to make things better. Every Monday or even every morning can be a time to try again. There are always so many different things to improve though, eating habits, workout habits, housekeeping, patience, etc etc. I really appreciate that the Church gives me and my family this season of Lent to really focus on the most important preparations of all.

7 comments:

DebiH. said...

Thanks for the encouragement. This is the first year that we have intentionally chosen to observe Lent as a special season. During Advent I started to feel convicted that we celebrate so much in the Christmas season because it is culturally expected and commercially such a big deal. But we were really only celebrating Easter Sunday and not observing or preparing in any way for the celebration. We are learning a lot.

Tiffany said...

I've been thinking about this ever since we talked about it the other day. I definitely become reflective this time of year and it's so cool that it lines up with Lent. I wish I had planned better to do more with Lent this year with my kids but we will be doing more than we did last year to prepare ourselves. Great post!

Melissa said...

I've been thinking more on this too. I've never been part of a Catholic (or similar) church and have felt like Easter comes and goes without enough time taken to reflect - in our family, anyway. I've been thinking of finding some daily Scripture readings to help us think more about Jesus' sacrifice. Right now it's just another thing on the to-do list....I'll try to make it happen.

Julie said...

Melissa and all,
The Liturgical readings for the day are on my sidebar on the right right under the pictures. You can listen right on the computer (or iPod:)) and then if you click on reflection there is a written application of the day's readings.

Terri said...

I love this post! And once again Matthew Kelly's words ring in my ears, "There's genius in Catholicism."

Great reminder Julie! Thank you.

ann marie said...

Ahhh - Lent. My favorite time of the year. Truly. It has been ever since I was a kid and I guess I have my parents to thank for that. Ash Wed.,Stations, daily Mass, and all that other good stuff. It seeped into me as a kid way before I realized or appreciated it. I always feel very alive this time of year,very excited and ready to reflect and REPENT :) Boy do I love that repenting!Great post and great reminder.

Heidi L. said...

Julie, what a beautiful post and great reminder of what Lent is all about! I am learning more and more about the genius behind the Church's Liturgical Seasons and I LOVE it and feel SO VERY blessed to be a part of it! Heidi