While checking Facebook, I see that many of my friends are observing Lent and fasting from something as a way to remember the sacrifice that Christ made for us. I've only observed Lent once in my 32 years and that was while I was in the Peace Corps. I decided not to drink alcohol for 40 days because they notoriously "made" me drink too much. When they asked why, I told them it wasn't unlike Ramadan. Does anyone else see the irony of me telling Muslims that I wasn't going to drink? Anyway, the churches I grew up in would say that the observence of Lent is "legalistic" or "religious" and not "freedom from the law" and "relationship".
I, however, think there is probably a balance. Just as The Faithful are not required to have "quiet time" every day, it is a devotional thing. It's an opportunity to re-center ourselves on The One who saved us and is continuing to sanctify us making us just a little more like Him. So what's wrong with 40 days of remembrance? Not a thing. For me, giving up chocolate wouldn't be anything like giving up The Throne. For me, giving up caffeine isn't going to help me wake up enough to worship Him. For me, giving up couponing would put my family at a disadvantage.
So I've been mulling it over... what can I give up?
But those of you who know that I used to have a nose ring, you know that I am likely to be rebellious before religious and I've decided to give something instead. I will do an inventory every day for the next 40 to see if I've given myself to someone else. It might be reading "Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaur" one more time than I want to or a tea party with style. It might be asking a friend what they really need AND THEN be ready and willing to give it. It might be a bag to the food bank or, heaven forbid, a back rub for my husband.
I suppose you could say that I'm committing to give up myself and my time and my energy. But I usually try to phrase things in the positive when I disciple my children and I respond to that better myself.
hm, I like this way of thinking. The world would very well be better off if we all gave a little more of ourselves unselfishly to one another. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I really like this idea? Do we get to hear the daily givings??
ReplyDeleteJane
p.s. You GAVE me coupons that allowed me to get cheap diapers tonight and you blessed me tremendously. So, thank you!!
I must be SO tired. I surely did not mean to say, "I like this idea?" But rather, "I like this idea!!!!"
ReplyDeleteGoodness Gracious!
Just seeing this but i commented on more than one Lenten FB post about this idea. My hometown seems to be a hotbed of Lent-observing Methodists, go figure. (I used to be one of them - it wasn't until college that i started to get the "But you aren't Catholic!" comments.) Anyway, one year, my mother played a hymn on the piano every day. This year, another friend was trading an hour of exercise for every hour on Facebook (she called it a "good/bad trade").
ReplyDeleteThe reason behind the sacrifice gets lost in the shuffle sometimes and the question of why God cares if someone gives up chocolate for 40 days comes up. I was taught that when giving something up, you took the money you would have spent on it and added it to your tithe (or gave it to another charity). Same for when you fasted - the money you would have spent on food went to the church.
But the whole idea was to bring yourself closer to God, right? I always liked that there were many ways to do that - yours is great. :)