**PSST – hi friend! thank you for your interest in 40 days of joy in the ordinary! one of my favorite things is hosting a Lent challenge each year. THIS post is about the 2017 Lent challenge BUT we do a new challenge each year and i’d love to have you join! you can find the details and SIGN UP for this year’s Grow in Gratitude Lent Challenge right HERE!
not quite sure what to give up for lent? i’m right there with you. i keep going back and forth. the same thing happened to me in college, 15 years ago when i first got the idea to start the LITTLE things. my usual chocolate and sweets just didn’t feel right that year. to be completely honest, i mostly gave up chocolate and sweets so i could lose a few pounds and get a LITTLE healthier in the process. am i the only one guilty of this?
so i set out to do something instead of give something up. i decided to make a list of 10 LITTLE things each day that made me stop, smile, and thank God for that moment. LITTLE did i know what began as a 40 day lenten commitment would turn into a 15-year habit, and now a blog!
as you enter this lenten season, i imagine your days are similar to mine. busy. full. fast. you complete one thing and then you’re on to the next. ever wish you could just slow down? maybe remember more of the smiles God placed in your day?
here’s the thing. God puts LITTLE things in everyone’s lives, on good days and bad. when we choose to notice, these LITTLE things become our focus and have the power to bring a whole lot of happy to our outlook. but the truth is, noticing is hard. because life is busy and sometimes complicated and you’re not in the habit of noticing. yet.
perhaps you are looking to do something for lent this year? something to help you notice the small joys God provides for you each day. something to help you express your gratitude. if so, then you’re in the right place. come join me this lent for the ::
40 days of gratitude
{ LITTLE lent list challenge }
*the info below and in this post is from our 2017 challenge. to get information on this year’s Grow in Gratitude and join hundreds of families uncovering and celebrating everyday blessings this Lent…click HERE.
sign up
- to sign up, simply subscribe to the blog here. you will receive an email asking you to confirm your subscription. check your spam folder if you don’t see it in your inbox. after confirming, you will receive a second email with a link to your FREE printables to guide you through the next 40 days of gratitude. {already a subscriber? message me through facebook and i will send you a link to the printables.}
- like notice the LITTLE things on facebook and message me so i know you’ve joined the challenge. i will add you to our separate closed facebook group for the next 40 days.
- invite a friend to join you. accountability is always a good thing!
participate
for this fun LITTLE lent challenge, the 40 days of lent will be divided into four groups of ten days {we will take sundays off}.
- march 1-11
- march 13-23
- march 24-april 4
- april 5-15
each set of 10 days will have a different theme. for example, the theme for march 1-11 is family. with this in mind here’s how this challenge will work:
march 1 :: use your printable to write one LITTLE thing about your family
march 2 :: use your printable to write two LITTLE things about your family
march 3 :: use your printable to write three LITTLE things about your family…
march 10 :: use your printable to write ten LITTLE things about your family
do you notice the pattern? on march 13, we will start over again with one LITTLE thing on a new theme and work our way up to ten again. i will keep in touch through our facebook group and themes for the following weeks will be announced there.
questions
feel free to email me at [email protected] with any questions or message me through facebook. i’m excited for you to join and look forward to hearing about your journey as you notice a LITTLE more God each day this lent!
happy noticing!
erin
{if you’re like me, accountability is always a good thing. want to share this challenge with others on pinterest? click on the red save icon on the image below and add this to your boards.}
Hello im a traditional Baptist and we celebrate the lent season. However im the only person in my family that does so will I be able to join your group. Our ash weds service starts tonight im unable to attend.
of course! ANYONE can join at any time – it is all about meeting God in YOUR PRESENT – wherever that might be. there is no requirement for when you join and i would be thrilled for you to join now!
:: erin ::
I so want to join this challenge however Facebook is one thing I am giving up this lent. Can I still participate?
yes! i’d love to have you. you can either set up your facebook settings so you only get notifications about our group {and can ignore the rest of facebook} OR you can rely on the emails for explanation and to stay connected. i hope you will sign up!
:: erin ::
Thank you for taking the time to put this together! I’m looking forward to utalizing the material!
no problem! i look forward to it every year! so happy to have you along to participate!
:: erin ::
I agree about giving up a food idea. It’s only real motivation is giving up something that helps me lose weight. I’ve also started trying to gain something for Lent each year. Like making pray a priority or reading each evening. Something to help my soul slow down some!
love this. i was thinking along those same lines this year. i decided to give up tv so that i go to bed earlier so that i don’t skip waking up for my morning devotional. have any good book suggestions?
how cool! thank you for including the 40 days of gratitude challenge on your page. i am honored. i’d love for you to join this year’s challenge | 40 days of JOY in the ordinary. so fun to connect with others people sharing these type of resources!
:: erin ::