Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Jelly Beans

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I am headed out today to buy bags of jelly beans. For this activity, one jar is empty, and the other is full. My children (and their parents) will add beans to the empty jar according to the list below. Jelly beans are not to be eaten until Easter.

* Red is for the blood Christ gave (Each morning we choose something to sacrifice that day to earn the red jelly bean.)
* Green is for the palm's cool shade (Green jelly beans are earned for good deeds. It was a good deed to provide shade for Jesus with the palm.)
* Yellow is for God's light so bright (Yellow jelly beans are earned for sharing God's light through kindness to others.)
* Orange is for prayers at twilight (Orange jelly beans are earned for paying special attention to bedtime prayers.)
* Black is for sweet rest at night (Black jelly beans are earned for going to bed obediently.)
* White is for the Grace of Christ (These we can not earn as mentioned above – we place a white jelly bean in the jar for Sacramental grace received when we receive the Sacraments.)
* Purple is for His days of sorrow (We earn these through apologizing to anyone we hurt with our words or deeds during the day.)
* Pink is for each new tomorrow (Pink jelly beans are earned when we forgive those who apologize to us for hurtful behavior.)

Updated: I modified the list above to place a copy of the text on our jelly bean jar. I think it previously was written for families with all young children.


list from Catholic Mom.com

7 comments:

  1. i also do something like this except I use real beans...and switch them to jelly beans at Easter.

    When the kids do a good deed they put in a bean....fill up the jar kids!

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  2. This is a really good, tangible idea ... little kids can do it, too! Thank you for the suggestion. Also, your reflection on your Lenten sacrifice was just beautiful. I appreciate your wisdom and your "realness" and the way you articulate what the Lord is doing in your life. God bless you this Lent, and I hope your back is feeling better.

    P.S. I like the Lenten colors and images on your blog, too!

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  3. what a "tempting" little activity. especially for someone (me) who loves the black ones!

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  4. Christine,
    I am kind of worried about the real deal being a temptation, but I really like the pretty colors. Maybe putting a lid on the jar will help!

    Thank you, Sarah. Thank you!

    Regan,
    You'll have to fight me for the black ones!

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  5. Ewwww, y'all can have the black ones! Yishy!!

    Actually, this is a great activity! Thanks for sharing it.

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  6. Terrific idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Sarah and Michelle,
    You're welcome. I updated the list because it was a little "young" for my gang.

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!