Royally Waiting... 40 days

Goodness y'all - we were THRILLED that so many of you took the time to link up last week! Excited to see where life is taking you all this week. Since today is Ash Wednesday, I wanted to share a post I'd written a few years ago for YMM about a little twist on sacrificing for Lent. I was reminded by this post during mass last Sunday when Father challenged us to DO instead of DO NOT. We should focus on acts that bring us closer to God and represent the ideals we share as Christians. I love that so we will be DOing around here and in case you are thinking of the same, here's a pretty great way to spread some love this lenten season. Edited for this post. 

Spring is the time of year you often hear about people making sacrifices all in the name of Lent.

No cokes. (Which really meands DPs).

No chocolate.

No yelling at kids.

Or husbands.

Or dogs.

(Who are we kidding... we could never not yell at our husbands).

;)

And sometimes people choose not to make a sacrifice, but rather to offer a service.

Be kinder.

Be more patient.

Pray every hour.

Wait.

In the 4th grade, I decided I would make my bed every day without being asked. And from then on, I have made my bed {almost} every day since. We've all heard that all you need to do is commit to something for 21 days and you form a habit. 

21 days. 

That's not a long time. What if we all committed to LOVING more for 21 days... can you imagine the effect that would have? Every day let one person cut in front of you on the road. Just let them in. Hold open the door for three strangers. Pay for someone's coffee. Or parking. 

Just love outloud. 

What if we all committed to one small act that can brighten the day of someone else for 40 days?

I know. That seems like a lot. But it isn't.

10 minutes, tops, a day. 

You can write a letter while you're waiting, eating, watching TV, in between texting and folding laundry. 10 minutes. 

10 minutes of your time to bring an immeasurable amount of love, admiration, joy, and gladness to someone else.

You can't really beat that. 

AND... I have a list. (Because of course).

(Now, you can veer from the list (although I don't know why you would), this is just to get you thinking.)

Some of the items on the list are hard. And that was done on purpose. It's not always easy to admit when you're wrong.

Forgiveness is difficult to offer.

What do you say to someone you've never met?

I'm not sure how I'll do that either. 

But in the end, you will be so glad you did.

The letters can be notes, emails, even FB messages, are fine in some cases....maybe even necessary.

If 40 days is too short, then do it in 50. The point is to commit to doing it.

The list includes...

There you have it. Here's to waiting with Him for the next 40 days. Thank you for linking up - can't wait to see what your week holds!

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