• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

LisaHendey.com

Author & Speaker & Missionary Disciple

  • Home
    • About Lisa
    • Contact
  • Substack
    • Blog Archives
  • Books
    • Spirituality
      • O Radiant Dawn: 5-Minute Prayers Around the Advent Wreath
      • The Handbook for Catholic Moms
      • A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms
      • As Morning Breaks, Daily Gospel Reflections
      • The Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion: A Book of Daily Reflections
      • The Grace of Yes: Eight Virtues for Generous Living
      • The Catholic Mom’s Desk Calendar: One-Minute Prayers for Each Day
    • Children’s Books
      • I Am Earth’s Keeper
      • I’m a Saint in the Making
      • I Am God’s Storyteller
      • Chime Travelers
    • Chime Travelers Kids
      • The Secret of the Shamrock
      • The Sign of the Carved Cross
      • The Whisper in the Ruins
      • The Mystery at Midnight
      • The Strangers at the Manger
  • Chime Travelers
    • The Books
      • The Secret of the Shamrock
      • The Sign of the Carved Cross
      • The Whisper in the Ruins
      • The Mystery at Midnight
      • The Strangers at the Manger
    • Faithful Resources For Teachers & Librarians
    • Chime Travelers Press Kit
  • Podcast
  • Speaking
    • Invite Lisa
    • Television
    • Testimonials
  • Appearances
  • Spirituality
  • Children’s Books
  • Chime Travelers
  • All Books

Has My Lent Been “Enough”?

April 19, 2019 by Lisa M. Hendey

Image By Txllxt TxllxT – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

“Has my Lent been enough this year?”

That’s the question I found myself pondering this morning as I prayed my way through today’s Gospel from John’s account of Jesus’ passion and death on the cross.

Have I prayed enough?
Have I fasted sufficiently?
Have I given alms with generosity and caring?

I decided for myself that there is and never will be “enough”. How can a human, and a weak and overwhelmed one at that, ever offer penance sufficient to the grace offered by our Savior’s sacrifice? Thank God for mercy and unconditional salvation.

In so many ways, this has been a Lent unlike any other for our family. In mid-January, my beautiful mother began to suffer extreme health consequences related to her battle with Parkinson’s disease. Contending with a speaking schedule that had me crisscrossing the country, I tried from afar to support my siblings as each of them took their turn at caring for my parents. At every turn, I felt wholly insufficient.

Without going into any details that would compromise Mom’s privacy, I’ll just say that the last ninety+ days have involved so much pain and suffering for her as we have tried to find a safe and comfortable care situation. The pages of my Lenten journal read more like a medical record in some parts.

Admitted to ___
Prescribed ____
Refuses to ____
Discharged from ____
Taken by ambulance to ____
Seeking admission at ___

In airports and hotels and on buses and in cars and at home and at church and in the shower, I’ve prayed scores of Rosaries to Our Lady for peace for Mom and Daddy. Our family’s situation has brought me into greater solidarity not only with the elderly who face this journey and their caregivers but really with all of those in need. I see them everywhere: those who camp on the street half a mile from my home in LA. Those who labor at multiple low paying jobs to put food on their tables. Those who have been born with or developed disabilities, for whom basic daily tasks are a trial. Those who are marginalized simply because of who they are and how they look.

So much suffering. How can I do more, Lord? 

This Lent has taught me that I can never do “enough”. I cannot control our situation here in Mississippi, where I’m temporarily living to care for Mom and Daddy. I cannot ease the pain of those I meet or encounter each day. I cannot give enough to feed or shelter the many who need help. I cannot “fix” institutions or laws or leaders.

I can only try to love. And even that I do insufficiently most days.

Thank God it doesn’t matter if I am or do “enough”. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews (today’s second reading) assures me of this:

Brothers and sisters:
Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, 
Jesus, the Son of God, 
let us hold fast to our confession.
For we do not have a high priest
who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, 
but one who has similarly been tested in every way,
yet without sin.
So let us confidently approach the throne of grace 
to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.

Today, on Good Friday, we pause to give thanks for a Savior who gave his life for each of us, even those who will never be “enough”.

Thank you, Jesus. I am yours.

Image By Txllxt TxllxT – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Related

Filed Under: Faith Tagged With: Lent, Mom, Prayer

Primary Sidebar

FOLLOW LISA

Visit Us On FacebookVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On PinterestVisit Us On YoutubeVisit Us On Instagram

Substack Logo to go to Lisa's substack

FIND IT

Featured Films

Wicked

MOVIES

  • The Keeper: 3 Minutes with Angus Benfield
  • The Mission
  • The Burial

More Posts from this Category

Lisa’s Updates

Headshot of Lisa Hendey in 2025

Looking Forward with Hope

UPDATES

  • What’s Up with Lisa? Update from the Ball Chair for 11/15/23
  • In the Making: Update from the Ball Chair for 10/15/20
  • Companions for the Journey: Update from the Ball Chair for 09/14/20

More Posts from this Category

When you make a purchase using Lisa's Amazon links, she earns a small commission on your order. Thank you for your support!

Footer

 

 

Keep up with Lisa’s latest news:

QR Code for Lisa's Substack

Copyright © 2025 · Lisa M. Hendey - All Rights Reserved