A Lenten Reflection for Moms

Here’s an #AshWednesday story for ya...

This is Pax. He’s basically the best kid ever. My only complaint about him is that he likes me too much.

Today (in rare form) he made a bad choice. One of my big kids took a pack of gum (to hoard in his bedroom, my guess) and Pax found the stash.

I caught him trying his darnedest to take off the wrapper and shove it in his mouth I said, “Pax, no. We don’t eat that. Bad choice.” I didn’t yell. I didn’t spank. I just told him no.

Poor sweet Pax started crying. I guessed at the time it was because I took the gum away. But after throwing it away and washing my hands I come back downstairs to see him in the same spot, continuing to cry. And it was a sad cry.

I knew it was’t because of the gum. I’m pretty sure it was because he was sorry and felt bad.

I scooped him up, put him on my lap and held him close. He laid on my chest and he melted into me. I told him I forgave him and that I loved him and that he was a good boy.

He stopped crying and whispered, “tenks” (thanks).

As I continued holding him, I couldn’t help but think about the season of Lent. It’s tempting for us to stay in sorrow, pondering our sinfulness and brokenness. It’s tempting for us to resist forgiveness and vulnerability, that somehow it’s holier to punish ourselves.

I had the privilege of perhaps feeling how God feels when we are sorry, when we LET him hold us. And let me tell you, my love for Pax in that moment was hard to beat.

I’m willing to guess that when God can forgive us and hold us and love us into healing, it’s probably his favorite.

So as tempting as it may be today to wallow in our sin, I challenge you to let this lent be about showing God every nook and cranny of your heart, and let him heal what’s broken.

Written 2/17/2021