I've been thinking lately about falling short. It's a common issue for people involved in domesticity. We're surrounded by magazines and blogs and Pinterest boards filled with photos of amazing creations — crafts, cakes, magnificent culinary achievements — and glamorous homes and of lists about achievements. If you're like me, all of those photos remind you of your own limitations and the lists are just reminders of what I should be doing.

In some ways, Lent is a healthier spiritual version of those PInterest boards. Lent calls us  to live simply, to pray more, to be more generous, and to reflect on the great stories of our faith — and to be honest about how we fall short. Lent is a time to honestly reflect on our failures, to try to root out the causes, and to resolve to do better.

Accepting our failures and limitations is never easy. Often, it's painful. But we move beyond the pain to ask for forgiveness and the grace to move forward with new energy and resolve.

There are two more full weeks left in Lent. Time enough to seek out where we have fallen short.