As The Lenten Season Begins

Yesterday began the season of Lent. Lent is traditionally celebrated with periods of fasting and self examination. As a Christian family, it is important to me, to celebrate with my children the "bright sadness" (as some refer to it) of the Easter season. The Easter morning celebration is important and real, but the days leading up to it are just as real, just as important, and make the Easter morning that much more meaningful. This year, as my children are getting older, we intend on jumping into Lent with our family, using a devotional with activities and prayers, to help each of us grasp the realness and the importance of the Lenten season.
What a privilege to serve a risen Lord, but let us not forget the sacrifices and struggle that got us to this place. The sacrifice that was for each and every one of us. What an amazing amazing concept. We owe it to ourselves, and to God, to look within and contemplate our weaknesses and faults, and give them to Jesus, who paid the ultimate price, so that we may be forgiven for all of those things. And we owe it to ourselves, not to miss out on this important part of The Story.
This is a story, written in a book so very long ago, but with all of me, I believe its truth. And I am so very grateful that I have a God that is bigger than me. That is all knowing, all sufficient, and all forgiving. And that His truths are passed down to me, you, and to future generations, through the stories of His life so long ago, and our witnessing of His everyday miracles right in front of us, today. I see the sun rise each day, and I KNOW there is a God. I see my beautiful children, and I KNOW there is a God. I read the story of creation, and I KNOW there is a God. There IS a God, who loves you and me enough to give His only son, so that we may have everlasting life. (John 3:16). Believe it and live it. During this season of Lent, it is my fervent prayer that I may, in all my imperfect ways, turn myself towards, The all perfect, God, and point my children that direction, also.