The Season of Lent

I'm usually scrambling for something to give up or find something meaningful to add to my life for a Lenten practice. I'm sharing some Lent resources that are speaking to me as we enter a season I've grown to love.

📗 Every Broken Thing: A Lent and Holy Week Guide to Answering Ecclesiastes by Erin Hicks Moon- Includes a Lent primer and daily readings.
I loved Erin's Lent devotional last year.  It's the only devotional that I've stuck with from start to finish and wanted to go back and read it again. Get this by midnight tonight when the cart closes!

📆  Busted Halo- Fast Pray Give Calendar- Each day, get a "Lent-themed Daily Jolt and MicroChallenge."
This is a fast and easy way to get a bite-sized "fix" throughout Lent.

🌎Earth & Altar- Check out the articles "Tradition and Revision in Ash Wednesday Liturgy" and "Last Minute Lenten Disciplines.
I'm loving this new blog/magazine and the important topics and perspectives it is offering.

🎧The Good List with Tsh Oxenreider podcast episode 10- Momento Mori and We Wonder Lent Podcast- Contemplative Bible Storytelling for Children & Their Grownups
I've been a listener of Tsh Oxenreider's other podcasts for a few years and appreciate how she thoughtfully breaks things down in a meaningful way.  It's a shorter podcast, which I always appreciate!  The We Wonder podcast is new to me, but I'm looking forward to learning how to begin teaching our toddler about Lent.

🞤Sacred Ordinary Days Lent Resources and Daily Emails- Books, Music, Podcasts, Videos, and more
This is just full of resources if you want to dive deep and find playlists, books, and more to enhance your Lenten journey. I used the Sacred Ordinary Days Planner last year and really enjoyed it.

📓Sarah Bessey's Field Notes post "Why Lent Matters to Me" and "40 Simple Practices for Lent" is 💯
Just go ahead and sign up for Sarah's emails, they'll bless your inbox all through the year.  I love a good printable and the "40 Simple Practices for Lent" is so good.

⛪ Lent is a good time to check out local offerings at churches in your community. Our church is having a special program on Wednesday's during Lent and I'm signed up for the second year to go to a different church's wellness retreat, Core: A Retreat to Stretch Mind, Body, and Soul.  

📷Crosses at The Rock of Cashel in Ireland, taken on our honeymoon a few years ago. 

Blog Reboot

I've started to reboot my Grits and Gossip blogging days several times over the last few years.  I  began formats on several different blogging platforms.  It always ends up feeling overwhelming that I don't have a custom logo or professional design or beautiful photography skills. So here I am back on the trusty and familiar blogger site.

In the spirit of a simple reboot, Grits and Gratitude is here.  I'm grateful you're here and in the chaos of the world around us, I hope to keep this blog focused on the simple, life-giving things making life happier.

It only takes a few minutes to read or watch what is going on in the world around us to feel overwhelmed and anxious. We're living in the midst of a historically divisive political climate, there is a "pending pandemic," climate change, and so on.  While I do think it's important to be informed and have a voice on issues important to us, I believe it's equally important to bring a sense of peace and balance to our lives.

I'm not an expert, but am always seeking ways to practice gratitude and enjoy the everyday moments and simple pleasures that have a way of bringing us "home."  By home, I mean that safe and comfortable place inside ourselves that helps us recharge and reminds us that our personal grit and heartfelt gratitude matters.

My hope is that this blog will be like meeting up with an old friend you haven't seen in a while.  You know, the ones that you can pick right back up where you left off.

It's so good to see you again!