I was happy to start my journey of growth and grace last week! Lenten promises or intentions are much more important to me than a new year’s resolution. That resolution seems to revolve around reflection of the last year and goals for the new one. It’s also something that I fail to keep the rest of the year.

Lent is about me and then others. When I teach youth or adults in faith formation, I explain the meaning of ashes in Scripture (Jonah 3), and metanoia. Metanoia is a Greek word for conversion or turning around. There are two phrases you may hear when you receive ashes: ‘remember you are dust and to dust you shall return’ or ‘repent (regret) and believe in the Gospel.’ Momento Mori, remember to die (Latin), is another phrase used to remind us that we will die some day. How do we want to spend this life? What truly matters? It also calls us to appreciate the present and what we have. “Believe in the Gospel” refers to the good news that Jesus came to save us. God is merciful!

For kids, or even us adults, we could simplify the message or mantra for Lent. “Repent and turn back to God.” Just decide to turn around! Make a change. One of my really fun kids demonstrated the concept. We pretended that he did something hurtful to his brother on purpose. He turned away from God or the good. He walked away from God. Even when he reached the wall of the room, he kept ‘walking.’ I asked everyone in the room what we should say. Everyone started telling him to turn around. He didn’t. He demonstrated that sometimes we choose to stay in the habit or situation that isn’t good for us or others. We make choices. We can change our minds which leads to changing our ways.

Even when Jonah, a prophet, refused to listen to God, God helped him get back to shore in the right place. He could get back on track and complete his mission of saving the people of Nineveh. He didn’t want God to save them. God did. God will try his hardest to reach us and get our attention. I think I could write a book about the modern day applications of each step in the story. Both of these stories for kids are beneficial for adults, too!

Minno – Bible Stories for Kids: https://youtu.be/HyARO8fmqy4?si=H2lHbYTss9MSdFRU. God sent something big to Jonah.

God’s Story: Jonah from Crossroads Kids’ Club: https://youtu.be/V5BEvqr9cVs?si=1rj39vGie-fozNWy

God can send us big things, like a whale or big fish, to rescue us. It may not look like a rescue! God is always trying to save us. I find hope and peace in that!

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