Creating Lent & Easter Memories Part II

This post is a sequel to last week’s newsletter article. If you missed my last article and would like to learn more about creative ways to share Lenten and Easter memories with your family click here.

Here are more ideas paraphrased from Dr. David W. Sharrard:

Week 3—for this week our focus is on kindness and emphasizing self-control using the ABC’s of spirituality. God created us with an intellect which, when used skillfully, is a valuable tool for survival and life. However, it must be developed.

“A” is for Attention.
           Three skills are needed for ATTENTION:
               1.  Stopping (Stop, Think & Feel)
               2.  Focusing (the ability to concentrate helps develop the brain)
               3. Choosing (on what will you seek to focus?)
“B” is for finding a Balance between the self and the other.
“C” is for Compassion.

This week’s suggestions for your Family Meeting accent these three skills while praying for each member of your family. Gather your family together for a quiet moment before sharing any words or thoughts about this week’s meeting. Then, begin by pointing out how everyone had to STOP everything else before giving this week’s scripture and topic your attention.

Read Proverbs 23 and Luke 2:19. Talk with one another about what it means to consider something from the heart, perhaps sharing an example from your own life.

Just as with the season of Advent, consider lighting a candle before beginning your Family Lenten Meeting time. You could even use opening words like, “This is the season of Lent. The time leading up to Easter where we THINK about Jesus and what he did for us. It is also a time when we THINK about what we can do for one another and acts of kindness which can start with the simple act of prayer."

For a time of FOCUS, consider using quiet or guided meditation or practicing breath exercises  to help center everyone for this family time.

For CHOOSING, list different family members whom you would like to pray for this week. Perhaps discuss some of the things for which you can pray regarding these individuals. Lead the children in visualizing these family members as you say their names and sentences of blessings such as these:
                May you be happy.
                May you be healthy and strong.
                May you have fun and laugh.
                May you know peace.
                May you have a wonderful day.
                May your hopes and dreams come true.

Repeat these prayers/blessings as you visualize every family member. Be sure to include one another, not just extended family members.

After this time of prayer, ask what it felt like to pray for others. Ask what it was like to be prayed for.

Consider using this exercise as the start of a regular practice of praying together as a family beyond mealtimes and bedtime.

May these ideas become dedicated practices for your family, for a lifetime.

Blessings,
Tracy