Lent

I'm sure most of you have heard of lent.

While we don't actually celebrate Lent, last year I decided that during the Lenten season I'd give up some "thing". It had to be big and meaningful, something that would make me better at my job as a homemaker.

Last year I gave up time on the computer. Mostly. I still did online banking and if there was an email I needed to see my husband would tell me to look at it. It was so difficult for me for about one week. I kept a journal of this time and it's amazing  that after that week it was pure freedom! I looked in cookbooks, sewed a bit, did some scrapbooking, read more books, hung out with my family more. Some times I can see where I slip back into the computer habit (which is why I haven't joined Facebook or Twitter.) I catch myself pretty quick and limit my time even more. In fact, I don't allow myself much time on the computer during the day until I'm done with my work.

This year I've been trying to figure out what I should do for Lent. I've decided that in order to accomplish my 2010 non-resolutions, I won't allow myself to read in the evening unless I have accomplished my goals for each day. This is a luxury for me and I shouldn't do it if I don't have my priorities in order.

My goals are simple, but they are not easy.

Each day I need to show my family that I love them using THEIR love language....not mine!

• For my daughter that means words of encouragement and/or gifts.
• For my son that means time and touch.
• For my husband that means words of encouragement and acts of service.

Words of encouragement is the hardest love language for me. I feel goofy when I tell my husband that I appreciate that he works so hard to provide for us. I sincerely appreciate all he does for us, but to say that to him is not natural for me. It's easy for me to tell my daughter that she's beautiful. I have to be more aware of her actions if I want to compliment her on "real things". For example last week she amazed me when she told me that her brother needs more time to get his work done after school because he doesn't get home from swim team until 5:30. Those are the kinds of things I want to compliment her on. Neither my son nor I want to read together in the evening. He NEEDS to be a better reader so he NEEDS to read! It's the perfect time to cuddle up and read together. I NEED to make this a priority in my life.

I am going to re-read the books The Five Love Languages as well as The Five Love Languages of Children.

I believe the more I do this the easier it will be! Hopefully after forty days I will have this habit in place.

This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday!