Each year during the time of Lent, we are often challenged to give something up or add something to our lives. The idea behind this is that our Lord sacrificed for our benefit by his excruciating death on the cross. We are then called to take away or add something to our lives so that when we would normally partake of this food or activity, or add the activity to our lives, it will cause us to reflect on our Lord’s sacrifice.
In the past, I have given up chocolate, pop, candy, and even added some things like allowing Lisa to give me more back rubs, watching more college basketball on television, and trying to read the front page of the newspaper before I read the sports section. I know what you are thinking. This guy is a real spiritual heavyweight. Although I may have embellished my story a bit, it is not too far from the truth. Most of the Lenten seasons in which I have given something up or added something, I have given very little thought and prayer to what it is God may have been calling me to do or to be. Truth be known, I was hoping to improve myself a little (lose some weight, get fit, enjoy more sports on T.V.) There was a selfish component to the pact with God. This year I have tried something new. I have been observing, reflecting, and discussing (mostly with God) about where He wants to break into my life…..I hope this language sounds familiar. I am sensing that God is nudging me in two directions.
The first is to not be in a hurry. Being busy is a given, but I don’t believe that any of us has to be in a hurry. This will be hard to measure, except that each morning I feel compelled to start the day by saying, “Lord, help each conversation, each interruption, each activity, to not be rushed, and to take time to enjoy what I am doing and who I am doing it with, without hurrying through the experience.”
The next two Lenten sacrifices are more measurable. The first is to serve our educators. I love our schools and I want teachers, principals, and administrators to know that I am supportive of them. Lisa and I are working on ways to serve those who serve our children. I can’t tell you exactly what we are going to do (it wouldn’t be anonymous then), but it involves praying for them and acts of kindness. The second is that when I buy something new, I am going to give the new one away and keep the old one. Often times, I give away the things that I don’t want anyway. For forty days, I want to experience sacrifice by giving away the new item and keeping the old item for a little while longer. I invite you to hold me accountable through this blog. We would also love to hear your Lenten stories and how God is moving in your life. If you are giving something up, or adding something to your life, let us share in the experience. One woman already shared with me that she and her fifth grade daughter are reading three chapters of the Bible together each day. Great stuff! They don’t have to be over-the-top spiritual. No judgment. Let us encourage each other and hold one another accountable. May God bless you on your Lenten journey!
