What Else Can A Mom Give Up This Lent?

I have been racking my brain for days now over what I would give up for Lent.  I would like to say weeks instead of days, but I would most definitely be lying as I've only just been in survival mode the last few weeks since the birth of our fourth child.  So, for days I have had a difficult time coming up with my answer.  Today was Ash Wednesday and instead of continuing to find that answer, I decided to ponder why I was having such a difficult time.  I couldn't remember a year when I had so much trouble coming up with what I would give up.

After picking up my son from his preschool classroom today with my two year old son holding one hand, my preschooler holding the other, and my baby girl strapped to my chest, I slowly managed to make my way into the parking lot and towards my car.  Of course just getting halfway there took us easily ten minutes because as any mother of boys knows, you have to let them walk across every curb like it's a high wire act and then watch them jump off with wild zeal while holding your breath that no one will end up in the emergency room.  While in the parking lot, I ran into not one, but three friends who all were there to attend the Ash Wednesday prayer service which had just begun at our church.  I, of course, denied myself that experience because the thought of being in a quiet church with a five year old who might blurt out that he's bored, my two year old who might scream for no particular reason, and my newborn who might suddenly cry from gas pains or needing to be nursed...well, let's just say it wasn't an option for me today.

My friends made their way into the church and I continued on our journey to the car.  By the time we were arriving at our final destination, I saw everyone coming back out of the church with ashes on their foreheads.  I must admit, I looked at them all with such envy.  "Look at all those people without little ones in tow who can just walk into the church so carefree and receive such a blessing."  Well, I thought God surely recognized my sacrifice and I'd try to attend next year.  Just then, my friends came out and told me that our priest was still giving out ashes in the church and I could just go in to receive them.  It was like you had told me they were handing out the winning lottery ticket inside the church.  I made a beeline for the doors, and well, you know how fast I was moving with a little one on each hand and one strapped to the front.  We went as fast as we could and by the time I opened the doors to the church, it was empty.  My lottery ticket had been given away.  Another friend came around the corner and said, "Katherine, Father is giving ashes in the courtyard."  We made our way to the courtyard and there he was.  He blessed all of us, even baby girl in the front pack.  I left our church with my lottery ticket on my forehead for all the world to see.  I was a happy girl!

Driving home, I still pondered why I was having such a hard time coming up with my one "thing" I would "give up."  And then I thought about my experience just trying to get to my car and then to get our ashes.  I realized that mothers constantly give up of themselves on a daily basis.  And when we have newborns in the house, it is difficult to even imagine how much more we can possibly give up of ourselves.  I have given up my sleep, long showers, eating while sitting, my ability to keep my shirt clean all day, my youthful body, a clean house, and sleeping with my husband in the same bed (as he always ends up moving into the guest room for the first four months of our baby's life).  We give our lives to our children and most parents would say (once their children are grown and gone) they'd do it again and again.

Even though we give up much, I am reminded that God calls each of us to be saints.  I know there is more that I can do.  I think I'll start by doing something nice for my church's office staff and priests, as they did so much for me in preparation for our Walk for Life.  I will try to pray at least one decade of the rosary for all the women in the world who are contemplating abortion that they choose life over death and that their minds are turned towards the love their child will bring.  I will pray for my family more - especially my parents and sister with whom I have no relationship.  I will pray to St.Michael the Archangel for strength.  And I will pray that I only show love, compassion, and patience towards my children and husband.  Lent is about being in the desert, about living through Christ's Passion.  There is nothing I can do to measure what He has done for me.  At this extremely demanding and busy moment in my life,  I will try to tackle this Lenten plan and adhere to it...as if my life depended on it.  Please pray for me.