Today is the first day of Lent. As a child, I remember we often gave up candy for Lent. And if I remember correctly, a time or two we gave up television as well. Giving up those two things were very hard as a young child, and I am sure it would be hard for me to give them up now as an adult too.
I have been thinking for the past couple of days what I was going to give up. For me, sweets is an obvious one. I am addicted to sweets & eat them more often than I would care to admit. And while that would be good for me, I have been thinking about why I always turn to food when giving something up for Lent?
As a Christian, Lent is about conversion, turning our lives more completely over to Christ and his way of life. That always involves giving up sin in some form. The goal is not just to abstain from sin for the duration of Lent but to root sin out of our lives forever. Conversion means leaving behind an old way of living and acting in order to embrace new life in Christ. (source)
This got me thinking. Why can't I give up non food items (or the like) for Lent? For example, why can't I give up
My short temper toward Marc & the girls?
Being judgmental toward others?
My negative attitude?
My need for perfection in all aspects of my life?
Yes, working on these things would be much harder for me than just giving up sweets. But wouldn't it be so much more rewarding at the end of these 40 days. To be more even tempered, less judgmental, more positive & less Type A in my life?! Yes, please! Not only would it make me a better person, but it would make my family & everyone around me much happier too.
While I still do intend to decrease my intake of sweets during Lent, I really want to focus on the above sins that surround my life right now. And I intend to, starting today, the first day of Lent.
What do you plan to do during this Lenten season?
Wow! You just put into words exactly what I've been thinking a lot about the last few days. I have been really negative and my attitude has just sucked lately. It's time for me to get a grip on it and change it!
ReplyDeleteThe negative & grumpiness must be going around, cause I've been the same way. These are wonderful things to focus on for lent.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant post, cousin! Kudos for recognizing the things that many of us struggle with for years.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I've most often given things up during Lent, but I always like the idea of adding something to your life. This year, I'm going to reach out and contact a different extended family member every day for the next 40. (My dad is #8 of 12, so I literally have almost 40 cousins alone!)
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