tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060593037912557290.post6941838490273590847..comments2023-10-11T02:55:36.868-07:00Comments on FALLING UPWARD: Why I’m NOT giving up anything for Lent.Holly Rutchikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16772621408994976608noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060593037912557290.post-41379027040370734772011-04-03T09:55:48.529-07:002011-04-03T09:55:48.529-07:00I didn't give up anything for Lent either. I f...I didn't give up anything for Lent either. I figured offering up the end of a pregnancy, labor and childbirth, and some nice post-partum recovery was plenty! I added some Lenten reading, but that was about where it ends. <br /><br />I don't remember where I read it (I'm 3 days post-partum, so I don't even really remember a week ago) but I read once that embracing the crosses God gives us is of a much greater value than taking crosses up for ourselves. So, I think your embracing of your current circumstances IS the greatest Lenten offering you could make.Katherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01113818823824140462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060593037912557290.post-75457847778081068692011-03-09T20:05:40.419-08:002011-03-09T20:05:40.419-08:00These ladies have much better words of wisdom than...These ladies have much better words of wisdom than I could think up! Just wanted to say that I'll be thinking of you and continuing to pray!Lagartijahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17493523908121894209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060593037912557290.post-22893461875546736192011-03-09T18:42:03.124-08:002011-03-09T18:42:03.124-08:00Dear Holly, you are an inspiration to us all and h...Dear Holly, you are an inspiration to us all and hang in there! I'll be offering some heartfelt extra prayer time to you this Lenten season. Please know that where you are in life is exactly where God will meet you and will hold you in His hands - all of you. So you don't have anything left for anything else, but what you DO have is what God deems sufficient at this point, and though you may not see it, He is showering down the graces you need to just make it through. And I think you are doing so beautifully.Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11946246945526434754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060593037912557290.post-36163642216800067812011-03-09T17:10:10.630-08:002011-03-09T17:10:10.630-08:00I love the advice your spiritual director gave you...I love the advice your spiritual director gave you regarding giving up things for Lent. I used to give up smoking every lent and hold the cigarette in my hand ready for Easter morning!! Silly...<br /><br />I am praying for you. I pray you get some answers soon so you can have a peaceful last few weeks of pregnancy!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15858543043754603289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060593037912557290.post-53581341173663169622011-03-09T07:56:36.678-08:002011-03-09T07:56:36.678-08:00I read your post last night and this morning at Ma...I read your post last night and this morning at Mass, I heard "Render your hearts and not your garments." These words took on new meaning to me after reading your post--it's true that exterior acts can help some of us who don't have built in mortifications, but it's not the "point" of Lent. So continue "rendering your heart," and know that God will meet you there!Krissy A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14959638846186151943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060593037912557290.post-73259977497114875362011-03-08T21:06:17.220-08:002011-03-08T21:06:17.220-08:00Holly, oh wow, I have had those Lents -- the one w...Holly, oh wow, I have had those Lents -- the one when nothing is suitable for giving up that would be more of a sacrifice than what is already being sacrificed. You are right to proceed as you are. I'm one of those who gives up treats, but I also add things, like going to Adoration, which I always LOVE and have actually incorporated into my off-Lent life, though not with a set day and time. Anyway, tonight I indulged in my last candy bar until Easter. I am going to work hard to fill the times when I want something sweet with prayer and a growing dependence on God. I'm already at His feet so often, but I guess we can never get quite enough of that.<br /><br />Holly, I'm going to keep you a special part of my Lenten prayer intentions too. You've got a lot on your plate right now. Just know, you are a gem of a person and I'm so honored to know you!Roxane B. Salonenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01459456545891720716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060593037912557290.post-66992209194472132292011-03-08T21:04:52.264-08:002011-03-08T21:04:52.264-08:00If there's one thing I fail at in life it is d...If there's one thing I fail at in life it is dealing with the unknown. I turn into a giant mess (pregnant or not) when the future is undecided. I pray that the season of Lent offers you a closer walk with God that is so often a blessing from misery. And I'll be praying specifically for Joseph's job search, that it is timely, successful, and places your family just where God intends you to be. Hugs...Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16498028496686295825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9060593037912557290.post-22474907540292593622011-03-08T18:54:05.593-08:002011-03-08T18:54:05.593-08:00I hear ya Holly! I'm sorry to hear that so ma...I hear ya Holly! I'm sorry to hear that so many things are up in the air for your family. Uncertainty causes much anxiety. We've so been there! <br /><br />Please know that your family will be in our prayers this lent. We have a special heart for struggling families as we've struggled financially for so much of our marriage.<br /><br /><br />We have Luke 12:22-34 printed out and on our refrigerator. It's a great daily meditation for times of high stress and anxiety.<br /><br />Praying for you :)Second Chanceshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01995486505355339008noreply@blogger.com