So, I wrote this on Feb. 26th after Ash Wednesday, just never got around to posting it.
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and marked the beginning of the Lenten season. I have to say that I haven’t thought much about Lent until recent years. I remember my grandparents talking about Lent and what they were giving up. They’re Catholic so I think growing up I just figured it was something Catholics did. Another encounter with Lent that sticks out to me was when I was a freshman in college. I was working at Panera Bread in Indiana on Ash Wednesday and all these people kept coming into eat with these black markings on their forehead. I figured it was some kind of cult or something, but it seemed that almost everyone that walked in the door had this marking on their forehead. Surely, all of Mishawaka and South Bend, IN hadn’t been mesmerized by whatever this is. Then, somebody reminded me that it was Ash Wednesday and it all made sense.
I remember being in Peru on the World Race over Easter and being away from the “Americanized” Easter things like the Easter bunny, Easter egg hunts, Cadbury eggs, etc. and really being able to celebrate the holiday and the resurrection of our Lord. I think it got me thinking about all these things that I just do because that’s what everyone does and I’ve done it since I can remember. So, I guess that has caused this desire in me to learn more about these celebrations and observances. This Lenten season kind of snuck up on me. I read a few blogs about people trying to grasp how much more Lent is than just giving up chocolate or Facebook for a short time period and it got me thinking.
Wikipedia (the very spiritual source;) says "Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert, where according to the Bible he endured temptation by Satan. Different churches calculate the forty days differently. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial—for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. "
As I have began to look into this new season of Lent, I have noticed many people are challenging the American idea of surrendering something like ice cream (which they only eat twice/week) to deepen their relationship with Christ. They have began to think is it really about giving something up? Or is it about giving? Or is it about loving your neighbor, fostering community, serving the poor? Is a time to focus on disciplines that you keep saying you want to improve on? I guess there really isn’t a “right” answer.
As I began to think how I was going to observe this Lenten season, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do. All I know is that I want it to matter. One of my favorite sayings is “Go big or go home.” I don’t like doing things half-heartedly. So, I either want to give up something that will cause me to turn to Christ not just do it because that is what I am supposed to do.
Then, through some blog surfing, I was brought to this Lenten Prayer Guide by Bob Hyatt. Now, I am an organized person. I LOVE lists and agendas. I love checking things off and I go through post-it notes like it’s my job. So something that gives me direction is good for my soul. Not that I will follow it exactly, but it is a good guide. It has already been helpful. It suggests that the first week, you fast from sweets, treats, and self-indulgence. I can do sweets and treats, not a problem, but as I read further about no self-indulgences (clothes, gadgets, accessories, etc.), I was challenged. I guess I never pictured shopping to be a real problem for me, but I have to be honest that when I read that, my mind went right to the 20% off Maurices coupon that expires Saturday on my dresser at home. I even have a $10 of f coupon to go with it. I seriously thought maybe I’ll just start this late, like on Sunday THEN I can use my coupon. Seriously?? I really need a new shirt (probably very similar in style and color to the rest of my clothes) that badly?? It really put things in perspective, just because I have a coupon doesn’t mean I need to purchase something. I decided to stick with this commitment and forgo the coupon. I am thankful for the reality check.
For the reading today, I read from Matthew 6:19-34. It talks about storing up treasures in heaven, not serving two masters-God and Money, and about not worrying. I think it has become easy for me to get whatever I wanted. I have been blessed to have a decent paying social work job and to live at my parents’ house for the last year. (Yes, I said it has been a blessing to live with my parents). As much as I have tried to stick to a budget and have money saved up, I could pretty much buy what I wanted. I’m not saying this to sound prideful, but am saying this because I think I allowed this to get the best of me. I almost put a 20% off coupon before my relationship with Christ. There’s an issue here.
So, now here I am, 2 1/2 weeks later and can say with confidence that I have reigned in my self-indulgences. I have been much more mindful of what I buy and how I spend my money. I am hoping to continue this habit beyong this season of Lent.
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