A COUPLE QUICK NOTES:
IT'S WEDNESDAY WHICH MEANS WE FAST AND PRAY FOR OUR HUSBANDS. Click for more info.
HOW TO COUNT THE 40 DAYS OF LENT SIMPLE40 begins Ash Wednesday and ends with Holy Saturday. I do not count Sundays as it is a day of rest and release from Lenten sacrifices and obligations.
Another aspect of living a life of simplicity is the concept of "REST". I don't mean rest as in how you slept last night, or how tired you are right now. The "rest" I am speaking of comes from a place of peace in your heart where God dwells. Living in a restful state as much as possible is imperative for your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Rest is not only a natural need but also a fundamental aspect of fully living your faith. It allows you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and reflect on your relationship with God. Rest is essential for your physical health. Without adequate rest, your body cannot function well. You become tired, irritable, and more prone to illness. The Bible speaks of rest in several places in regards to your physical health and how it is a gift from God given to you so you can serve Him and others well. "It is in vain for you to rise early and to put off your rest at night, to eat bread earned by hard toil; all this God gives to his beloved in sleep." ~Psalm 127:2 Rest is also essential for your mental health. When you are in a state of constant busyness, your mind becomes overwhelmed, and stress levels rise. Rest allows your thoughts and your mind to slow down, allowing you to gain perspective on your life. Jesus understands your need for rest and wants you to come to Him to find peace and rest. “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” ~Matthew 11:28-30 Living in a restful state is also crucial for your spiritual well-being. When you are continually busy, you can become disconnected from God. Rest provides an opportunity for you to connect with God through prayer, reading Scripture, and contemplation. When you are still, you can better hear God's voice and feel His presence. "Be still, and know that I am God." ~Psalm 46:11 Click the link to take a look at my favorite book on rest. She says it's for homeschoolers, but I think it is very applicable for moms in general. This little book has so many gems of wisdom and hope. TEACHING FROM REST
spiritual As Catholics, we have several practices that encourage rest and contemplation. One of these practices is the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day of rest that God commanded in the Old Testament. It is a day when we set aside our work and spend time with God and our families. The Sabbath reminds us that we are not slaves to our work, but rather children of God who need rest. How can you begin planning NOW so you can truly REST on Sunday. What's on the menu? Make sure you have everything on hand before Sunday to avoid an extra trip to the store.
self A practice that encourages rest and contemplation is the daily examen. We have talked about the examen a couple of times already and I just cannot stress the importance of this practice in helping you to grow in self-knowledge, which leads to simplicity. As you may already know, the daily examen is a prayerful reflection on the day that encourages you to see where God was present in your life and provides an opportunity for you to reflect on our relationship with God and how you can take steps to improve it. Another wonderful and fruitful tool comes from Matthew Kelly of Dynamic Catholic. He has made a beautiful, simple guided prayer to walk you through your day. Below are links to watch the video as he explains it and also a printable to use as a guide. Prayer Process - Video Prayer Process - Printable
service Did you make a little plan yesterday to reach out to someone in need? It doesn't have to be complicated. Our plan is to make and take dinner to a family that just welcomed a new baby girl on Sunday. Most of your life is made of small, simple moments. These moments are important and meaningful. Treat others as you would like to be treated and you will be blessed.
today's recipe HEALTHY GREEN GUT SMOOTHIE This soothing smoothie is perfect for those days when your gut needs a little love. And, it's also good for something fun and healthy to drink on St. Patrick's Day! Just typing out this recipe makes me want to go and make it now! This makes at least 2 servings. 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (almond/oat milk work great as well) 4 cups spinach (or 2 cups kale, 2 cups spinach) 1⁄2 avocado 2 frozen bananas, cut into chunks 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (or 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger) 1⁄2 tablespoon chia or flax seeds 1 tablespoon bee pollen 1 tablespoon hemp hearts 1 tablespoon raw honey 2 scoops (or tablespoons) collagen protein Directions Place all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth (about 2–3 minutes). Serve over ice if desired.
Thank you for following along. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or comments. katie@integratedlife.co If you are enjoying SIMPLE40, please share with a friend. Click the link to sign up. It's never too late! SIMPLE40 Share on social Check out our site
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