That
blessed time of year where many of the Catholics(one of which I am not), and
Methodists(that’s me), and probably other denominations(that I am not aware of
at this time and since I am writing a blog I should probably open up Google and
research the subject a bit more, but who has time for that???)…it’s the time of
year when we give up something for Lent.
For those
of you who aren’t familiar with this season in the church, it is the 46 days
leading up to Easter every year. It
begins with Ash Wednesday, which is so conveniently the day after Fat Tuesday(ah!
Now I am ringin some bells, huh?). Ash
Wednesday kicks off the first day of Lent.
It is a season of sacrifice or fasting where people forego some of their
normal behaviors or habits as a part of a spiritual discipline that dates back
to biblical times.
In the
past I have given up things that were not-so-sacrificial like red meat or
chocolate(Not all sweets. Only chocolate. Vanilla still allowed.), but in
recent years I try to go for something that will really put a dent I my
everyday comfort zone. (Which I’m pretty sure that’s the whole point, but who
knew!?) I have given up wine, jewelry and makeup(except eyeliner. Merely to
save the population from such a horrid sight). The hardest one for me would
have been texting. I don’t recommend it.
It is hard to imagine, but when someone asks a simple yes or no question
via text it sure is nice not to have to go through the ritual of an actual
phone conversation. Occasionally, I
would slip up. Imagine that. I just couldn’t bear taking the time and effort to
put the phone up to my ear, wait for someone to answer, explain how I am an
idiot and gave up texting for lent, give the answer they had originally texted
me about, just to end it with a goodbye and see who is going to hang up first. All of that is assuming no one has the crazy
idea to throw in a “What have you been up to?” or “How have you been?”. I’m sure there are great lessons to be learned
from my inability to willingly participate in a regular-ol-phone call, but I’ll
sweep those under the rug for now.
This
year, after not learning from my mistakes of lofty Lenten sacrifices in the
past, I gave up every beverage except water. (Stupid. Stupid. Really stupid.)
Day 1 was when I realized I had really screwed up. Day 2 was when I first
accidentally broke. I just picked up one of the kids drinks and had a sip. I
didn’t even grasp what I had done it until the next day. I have accidentally(Really.
Accident.) drank other than water about 5 times now. It has been the hardest one yet. And to no bombshell
of a shocker my better half isn’t much of a support in the matter. “You aren’t
even going to drink wine?”, he says. Sometimes it’s like his thoughts are my thoughts.
In all
seriousness, I chose something so habitual and imposing on my comfort zone so
that I can grow closer to Christ. He endured so much pain, torment and
suffering all for me and you. In the weeks leading up to the celebration of his
death and resurrection I want to do something that will cause me a little discomfort
and distress. What He tolerated for my life that I live so abundantly is
exponentially greater than not texting for 46 days or having water at every
meal for a time. So every year I will
continue to bear a few weeks of sacrifice and probably be overly dramatic about
it, but maybe a little less since I am now doing it FROM THIS SIDE OF THIRTY.
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