Yesterday was Ash Wednesday in my religion. It is a day where my family and I make new commitments to our faith for the next 40 days to prepare for Easter. It is a yearly event, a part of our life, something to be remembered. This year I did not take a picture but simply wrote about the day. But here is my post from last year.... and I challenge you 365ers to document something about your religious beliefs.

40 Days February 25, 2010

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, my favorite time in the church year, a time to focus on faith.

Two years ago I made this little jar that I recently found in the back of my kitchen cabinet. Today I resurrected it and refilled it for this Lenten season. It is stuffed with 40 daily Lenten activities for our family. Each day during Lent we take turns choosing a slip from the jar. The next day we all participate in the activity that has been chosen. Some slips of paper are to remind us of Jesus' sacrifice, like no TV for a day. Some help us grow as a family, like doing a nice thing for a family member. Some reach out to the community, like buying food for a food pantry. And some bond us to extended family and friends, like writing and sharing five things we like about Grandma.

When I was growing up we were always told to make a personal sacrifice during Lent. I still try to focus on that, but it is such a great experience to share the sacrifice and growth that Lent brings as a family.

I challenge everyone to do a similar activity, even if you do not celebrate Lent. Try sharing the experience with a spouse, your children, or a friend. Commit to an activity a day for at least 4 days, maybe it will stretch into 40. Hopefully it will enrich your life and bring you closer to God.

If you need some added inspiration I have a friend Anne who posts on a religious blog she created. She is a talented writer, often times writing poetry about her beliefs. You can find her here.