Ash Wednesday Reflection: on Lenten Fasts

Just read this great article "9 Things You Need to Know About Lent." I toyed with giving up chocolate for Lent. My husband and I got inspired when I told him about a family who was giving up eating out for Lent. So that's what we're doing- not eating out, or ordering pizza, or getting take-out. Sadly I believe that includes going out for coffee/icecream/what have you as well.

Many people do not observe their Lenten abstention on Sundays. It's different in different circles, I think.

Before this Lent, I was feeling uninspired, and I was not looking forward to giving something up.

I want to show respect for my faith and for Christ by my willing sacrifice.  However, many of my the things I've chosen to give up for Lent in the past have felt like self-punishments or delusions of grandeur (depending on how you look at it), rather than peaceful surrender.

Things like-- the whole internet except on Sundays-- or ---caffeine--- or ---icecream ----or coffee--- or my favorite... sugar.

Crazy. :)

We can be full of good motivation, but when my heart says, "whoa," I think it's important to be honest with yourself and say, "Hmm...." is this realistic? Can this be realized in my day-to-day life? Or am I being dishonest with myself? Will it come to fruition? Is this a fruit of my spiritual life or my desire to show off (even just to myself)?

What is my intent?

I only say that because there are many people who secretly dislike Lent (and church, for that matter).  I think it's because we're often doing it for the wrong reasons.

It shouldn't be that way.

Lent is a 40-day period of time to surrender something... in favor of a greater good:  peace with Christ, and a joyful anticipation of the celebration of Easter. The reminder is the pinch of quiet sacrifice, in favor of a time for searching, a time for deepening our understanding of Scripture, and time for growth in our knowledge of his Word.

It might mean during the time you would normally - insert Lenten abstention here -  that instead, you are sitting in a library, next to a big stack of Bible commentaries and just reading the text to read. It means growing in our spiritual lives. Increasing in our longing for Christ.

But not self-impressing, nor self-demeaning, with a tendency to make you miserable... or proud.

That's the kind of thing that makes people stop going to church! It shouldn't be that way- really, it shouldn't!

So think about it a different way, and maybe this year you will love Lent. Or more importantly, Christ.

It isn't about what you give up- maybe it will be sugar or caffeine, or all internet except on Sundays. What is God calling you to do? The important thing is - where is your heart? Do you long for Christ, or to lose some extra weight? If you lose weight in the process great! But that shouldn't be why you give something up.

What do you think?

***********************

.........In other news,

i have a little secret that i'm dying to share with you!


....actually, i have to tell you, it's a BiG secret that I'm sooooo excited about!

i wish i could tell you now.

but i can't...


until tomorrow!

:D

for now, I have a few random links to share.

Finding Joy in Your Homemaking

Taking a Weekly Planning and Prayer Retreat


take a peek!...both by Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking