Creating A Simple YET Meaningful Easter
I wore myself out!
I used to think I had to make things HUGE and elaborate to make it meaningful and powerful! My friend once told me, “you know how you are go big or go home, type personality”. I thought no I am not. So, I asked my kids and they said with a smile “no you are go big or go bigger”. I couldn’t help but laugh. There is a lot of truth to that, which you probably know if you look at all of our Holiday celebrations. BUT the problem with that is I wore myself out and while things might seem “BIG” they actually are very simple! Why because some years I was pregnant, or just had a baby, or simply tired from all the things. One of my favorite things to hear from other families is that they have started doing one of our family traditions and they share how it has blessed their family. Why? How can simple things make such a big difference? After being a Mom for over 20 years I have learned a lot. With traditions and Holiday celebrations the Spirit then taught me THREE big things, first I can keep things simple so I can do them year after year, second, I do not have to do it alone and most importantly MAKE SURE THE SPIRIT IS PRESENT!
KEEP IT SIMPLE
This will look different for everyone. But the MAIN thing that has blessed me is creating traditions where I do not have to buy a lot of things. (other than Christmas those require a little more money than other Holidays) I used to find these awesome and inspiring ideas and it required me to get a lot of items which took time and money. I would do it then the next year it would require more planning and time and I wouldn’t end up doing it. Instead the Spirit helped me create traditions where I could buy something one time and use it again each year or often they didn’t require me buying anything at all. This has made doing traditions so easy. It also made it easier to realize that when we buy something it is an “investment” that will bless our family year after year. I will share additional details later.
YOU DON’t have to do it alone
This was the biggest help and actually happened by accident. One year I was pregnant and a Holiday came up and my kids asked where our backdrop was for the party. I told them I didn’t feel like putting it up that year and they said don’t worry Mom, I’ve got you then they set it all up for me. I was in tears. This showed me they cared so much about our family traditions they were willing to help make it happen. This brought me to tears. Now I have all my kids help. Another thing we have done that was HUGE is family member positions. I got this from a friend and I will explain more in a post to come BUT WOW is this fun! One of the positions is party planner. That means they help with ALL HOLIDAY TRADITIONS. It is so fun and there are so many benefits to this for them and you.
INviting the spirit
Last and most importantly, inviting the Spirit. THIS IS A GAME CHANGER!!! The Spirit taught me how to focus on inviting the Spirit during our Holiday celebrations and actives. This has made ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Now the things we do are centered on giving my children opportunities to feel the Spirit and learn from the Spirit and guess what that does not take a lot of “stuff” to do so. Heavenly Father wants us to have His spirit to always be with us. He wants to be a part of our traditions and Holidays, all of them. I LOVE teaching my children that Heavenly Father is FUN!!! That we can worship Him in the whisper and in the shout. (I actually have a whole family night about this) The last thing I want to teach my kids is that heavenly Father is boring, because HE IS NOT!! He is the God of JOY!!! One of the easiest ways I have found to do this is inviting the Spirit into our traditions and celebrations, from Christmas, to Easter, to Birthdays to the 4th of July. The Spirit can and wants to be a part of all of them.
So my encouragement for you today is YOU 100% can keep it simple, have help and yet make it powerful!! Your kids do not need a TIRED mom who is used all her energy trying to make things look “Pinterest perfect” they want and need you, your presence and the presence of our Savior and the Spirit of God. After all that is what matters most.
The why behind THESE LESSONS
As you may have read in the there post that is the MAIN reason I started this blog so I can share recourses with you to help your family create meaningful and spiritual moneys together. That is also why we put FOUR of our lessons together to help families do just that!! These lessons help you focus on our Savior, make Easter meaningful and you do not have to go out and by ANYTHING it is all there after you print it. These lessons take less than 10 minutes and yet allow you as a family to focus on Christ at Easter. They help you be intentional as a family for Easter and consider what traditions you want to continue for years to come. They teach the powerful connection between Palm Sunday and temple dedications. they give you an opportunity to focus on service at Easter. They give you meaningful quotes to read and discuss for an entire week. These lesson can help you have a meaningful MONTH or WEEK focused on Easter. you can do as much or as little as you want of the lessons and activities. They are simple there for you to make it easier. I have done the work for you so you do not have to. My cute daughter is doing this one to help pay for her lacrosse. We have kept it very affordable so no one has to miss out.
