Halfway to Easter! Halfway through Lent is a good time to assess where you are and where you want to be on this spiritual journey. If you are not in the place you had hoped, begin again! Through God's mercy, grace and prayer, you can get back on your feet and commit again to your Lenten promises.
Some questions to consider:
~Am I advancing in my relationship and faithfulness to Christ?
~Do I desire to grow in holiness in my daily life?
~Am I making decisions to help me stay faithful to my Lenten commitments?
These last 20 days we have been focusing on some of the elements of interior simplicity: OBEDIENCE PRAYER DISCIPLINE HOLY SPIRIT PEACE INTERIOR CONVERSION WONDER REST We still have a few more to go before we address exterior simplicity. I am so excited because one of my favorite topics to coach on is coming up: Discernment. But, before we go there, I just want to take a moment to thank you for joining me on this journey of growing in the virtue of simplicity. My hope is that you have learned a few things and tried your best to maintain your Lenten sacrifices and obligations. As you have probably noticed, simplicity does not equal easy or care-free. Living simplicity successfully is like building a cathedral. It's a lot of holy work and takes consistent effort which happens only by the grace of God. Be encouraged! You will be given all the grace you need for the present moment, just show up in trust, ask for what you need and keep moving forward. As Lent continues, bring all you are and all you have to the table. Surrender everything. Even your faults and failings. He desires it all.
Suscipe - one of my all time favorite prayers: Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess.
Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will.
Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me. ~St. Ignatius Loyola
Take some time today to review the Lenten commitments you made and started on Ash Wednesday. How are you doing? SIMPLE40 suggests the following: SPIRITUAL *Bookend your day in prayer. *Grow in your relationship with Christ by examining your last confession and making a concerted effort to overcome your patterns of sin based on your temperament. See Kylie Hein's Examen for each temperament. *Add a daily devotion you are not already doing (Angelus, 3 Hail Marys, Rosary, etc) SELF *Grayscale your phone *40 minutes of intentional movement daily *Give up a little pleasure (coffee, sugar, snacking, etc) SERVICE *Make and keep a simple budget *No unnecessary purchases
Did you download and print the SIMPLE40 Postcard to keep handy when you need a reminder to stay strong in your Lenten commitments? See below to print. It's not too late!
"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset."
~St. Francis de Sales
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SUNFLOWER Here at the Integrated Life, you will see the sunflower a lot. The sunflower is a sign of hope, authenticity and peace. It represents living an integrated life, with Christ at the center, in many ways. Botanists classify the sunflower as a composite flower because it is made up of many small flowers clustered together in a central disk, surrounded by larger petals. Each of these small flowers has its own reproductive parts, which work together to create a single flower head. This concept of individual parts coming together to create a unified whole can be related to living an integrated life. An integrated life means that all aspects of a person's life, including their relationships, faith, family, work, hobbies, and personal growth, are aligned and working together for the ultimate good. Just as the small flowers in a sunflower work together to create a beautiful and functional whole, the various aspects of our lives can come together to create a fulfilling and purposeful existence. By aligning our actions, using our God-given gifts, and pursuing meaningful goals, we can live a life that is integrated and harmonious, rather than disjointed and scattered. It is truly a wonder to behold how the sunflower follows the sun across the sky. We can see this as a beautiful example of God's perfect design in nature and how it points us towards His goodness and faithfulness. Just as the sunflower turns its face towards the sun, we should always be turning our hearts towards Jesus and seeking to live in His light. I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. ~John 8:12 But how does the sunflower actually follow the sun? Scientists have discovered that it has to do with a process called phototropism, where the plant responds to the direction of light by growing more on one side than the other. In other words, the sunflower is able to sense where the sun is and adjust its growth accordingly. Isn't it amazing how God has created every living thing with such intricacy and precision? So, when you look at the sunflower, its many different petals, its center, and how it follows the sun, may you be reminded of the beauty and wisdom of God's creation. Let's also be inspired to keep Christ at the center of our lives, following Him with the same kind of determination and devotion, always turning towards His light and letting it guide us on our journey of faith.
today's recipe
Chicken Sausage and Veggie Sheetpan Dinner
My husband likes to browse recipes and send them to me in an effort to help me with meal planning and trying new combinations. This is a great one that is very versatile in that you can use the veggies you have on hand and top with your favorite sauce.
Ingredients
6 Chicken sausages
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
3-4 cups brussel sprouts, quartered
2 carrots scrubbed and sliced in 1/2 inch slices
2 Tbsp. avocado oil
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. black pepper
additional spices as desired
2 cups quinoa or rice, cooked in chicken stock
Sprouted pumpkin seeds, optional topping
Favorite sauce for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400. Line baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper and put in the oven to preheat as well.
Place prepared veggies in a bowl and add avocado oil and seasonings. Feel free to adjust seasoning and add any other flavors you love.
Once the oven is preheated, add the veggies to the pan and bake for 20 minutes. Flip halfway if you remember!
Cook Quinoa or rice as veggies cook.
Add chicken sausage to veggies after the 20 minutes and bake an additional 10-15 minutes or until everything is done. You can also slice the sausage before adding it to the tray.
Place cooked quinoa in a serving bowl and top with the sausage, veggie mix and pumpkin seeds if you would like. Top with your favorite sauce or dressing. We like Honey Dijon Vinaigrette or a Creamy Jalapeño Cilantro Sauce. ENJOY!
Thank you for following along. Welcome to those of you who have just joined!
Please know I am praying for each and every one of you as we press on into this second half of Lent. Share with a friend if you think they would enjoy. The door is always open! SIMPLE40
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