"Mommy, why don't we put something different in them this year," he suggested. "Like birdseed. Then, the Easter Bunny can feed the animals before giving us a treat."
I thought it was a beautiful idea -- one that spoke of Luke's creativity and his developing capacity to think in less self-centered ways than he has in the past. Since Nina liked the idea, too, we went with it. So, our jars this year are being filled with sunflower seeds, not beans.
And, our hearts are full as well.
With all the snow that has fallen in our area lately, the children did not wait for Easter so that the Bunny could feed the birds. They were concerned about our feathered friends now. So, on Saint Valentine's Day morning, they made a special Valentine for birds in our front yard. They have been replenishing it regularly, and the birds have been delighting in their dedicated kindness.
And we have all been delighting in moments of beauty each day, which our Lord has made for us.
From snowy picnics to snuggly read alouds, when we have taken time to relish the simple parts of our days, our hearts have softened. Our souls have sung. We have felt redeemed and recharged, bathed in warmth and love.
Now, speaking of all this sweet joy might seem a bit out of season since it is Lent, not Easter yet. But, perhaps it is not. Perhaps recognizing the bountiful blessings borne from a child's idea of sacrificial sunflower seeds could be a simplified allegory for the Resurrection.
Through our Lord's love and sacrifice we are saved and, thus, can know great joy.
How are sacrifices softening hearts in your home the Lenten season?
(If you receive this post via email and cannot see the linky, be sure to actually click over to the blog to read browse the rich catalog of ideas there.)
Training Happy Hearts:
A Call to Faith Formation for Young Children
You are invited link up anytime with posts -- old or new -- that share your ideas, wisdom, reflections, activities and practical tips and tales about training up young children so that they may have happy hearts, united with God. Henceforth, this link-up will be posted anew each Sunday, but will contain all linked ideas to date, creating, in effect, a library of ideas for sharing our faith with little ones. Enjoy browsing the links as well as adding new ones each week. Thank you and God bless!
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1 comment:
What a wonderful idea! Kudos to Luke for thinking of such a spiritually renewing gesture.
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