40 Bag Challenge

While reading the many posts on the net regarding Lent and children, I stumbled upon some ideas I may try this year to help LegoMaster and Buzz understand the concept of the sacrifices that have been made for us before we were even born.  I want them to know the true meaning of Easter because I think it is more important than the true meaning of Christmas.   Not to minimize the birth of our savior, but.. well I hope you get the idea.

Here are some of the gems I encountered in my surfing:

1.Get a big box and have each child put one non-perishable canned/boxed good in it every day during lent.  On Easter, donate the food.  80 pieces (one per child per day) can be a big difference to a food bank.

2. Have everyone in the house choose some thing they are grateful for.  Walk around the house and count every one of those "things".  For example, I am grateful for new windows.  I should count them all and say a prayer of thankfulness to my Lord for providing me with x-number of windows as other people do not have as many, or ones that don't work as well.  Keep track of all the blessings you have on a large cross hung in a prominent place in the house.

3.Bake pretzels together and discuss how the form of a pretzel represents the traditional form of crossed arms during prayer.

4. Grow grass seeds in eggshells.  Plant on Palm Sunday and by Easter Sunday they should be sprouting and rising as our Savior has done.

5. [By far, my favorite] The 40-Bag-Challenge.  Each day during Lent, one should pack a bag of things you no longer need or that you have duplicates of.  These things can be in big bags, small bags, boxes, shoe boxes, etc.  The idea is to rid your home of clutter and realize how much you really do have.  To truly do this challenge correctly, one must do it EVERY DAY.  Not pack 7 bags one Sunday and not the rest of the week.  Don't forget the food box you are packing.  Clothes to a women's shelter.  Toys and books to a day care.  Cleaning products to...  The list could be endless.  Try it!  Pass on the idea.  I think it is good one.
I think it directly relates to this verse:  Matthew 16:26   "For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?"
        I think I may change the rules to my advantage and begin to pack up unnecessaries for our already-scheduled garage sale.  The boxes may not leave during the 40 days of Lent, but they will leave the house if they do not sell.

Enjoy your Lenten season!