Lent

I didn't grow up practicing lent. In fact, I don't even think I knew exactly what Lent was until I went to Olivet {college}. There, in an Ash Wednesday service my sophomore year, Dan Boone, encouraged us to dig deep and discover what Lent is really about.

And though I don't consider myself a scholar or a philosopher, but I am a follower of Christ. And I do think there's something to this Lenten season. As a follower of Christ, I can give up something in order to focus on the beauty and suffering of Easter. I can, in God's grace and strength, come into this Easter season with a renewed sense of sacrifice, though my sacrifices are nothing compared to God's own son...

That first Lent, I gave up chocolate. That was hard. As a college student, I think I ate a lot of chocolate. In the Lents past, I have given up lots, from TV to caffeine to sweets and online games. Things that take up my time, energy, and mind. In giving up those things for the short 40 day season, I learned something each time (like how giving up caffeine cold turkey is a BAD IDEA.) I also learned spiritual things...like how much time I was "wasting" on things less important than the cross and the mission therein.

This Lent, I am giving up something that I love: sugary sweets, treats, candy, and desserts.

I was praying about this, and sweets kept coming to my mind. I kept fighting it off because, after all, I have slowly eaten less and less sugary snacks/items in the past year or so. But it isn't gone completely. I still treat myself now and again. {And who doesn't love those cadbury eggs or ice cream?}

You wouldn't believe the amount of time I spend thinking about whether or not I have the "calories" left for treats, etc. I think about what my next treat will be. I think about how little I can eat on a given day in order to indulge in a treat.

And so...for the next 40 days, sugar is...out of the picture. The thought of it, the smell of it, the taste of it, and the lure of it...well, probably not the lure of it. You get the picture.

And my understanding of fasting is that we chose prayer and commune with God instead of indulging in whatever it is that we're fasting. Now this is something I can look forward to.

I'm sure I will keep you posted on the progress. What are you giving up for Lent?