Today is Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent. The day Jesus left for the desert where he stayed for 40 days and 40 nights to fast and pray before his death. So in honor of his commitment and sacrifice, some give things up as a sacrifice during the days before Easter. Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent are all meatless days also because, again, it is a sacrifice. So when one sacrifices, one must remember to think of Jesus in the desert and his purpose there.
And this year, right out of the gate, I failed.
It wasn't like I thought, "screw Lent, I'm eating chicken!" It was more like an epiphany around 2:00. "Oh crap! I'm not supposed to eat meat today." That was right after enjoying the chicken salad I had for lunch. Whoops! So, as of 2:00 tomorrow, I'll be off the hook.
That's another thing about Lent. Sure, I can sneak a chicken salad in at lunch time on Ash Wednesday; no one held me accountable. Katie didn't care if I had roast beef or chicken or pork. No one minds what you do, it's just the Big Guy who always seems to be checking over my shoulder. He has a way of knowing those little cheats.
I am giving up pop this year. This is a sacrifice like one I haven't had in awhile. I strive big during Lent. One year it was potatoes, another red meat. Last year it was money to charity. But pop, well that's a whole new realm of commitment. Part of my determination comes from the fact that I am an addict and it's time to break the bad habit. Part of my commitment comes from the denial of faith from my husband. Little does he know that besides today, I've never cheated, not once. I should've bet him.
So here we are. Day 1 of a 40+ day journey on the path to cleansing myself from aspartame and caramel color (no one said anything specifically about caffeine here people). I have a headache. I am without my usual jolt of life from the caffeine that is a staple in my bloodstream. I am grouchy and I want a steak. But, a sacrifice it is. No one said anything about it being easy. And it shouldn't be. Because really, the only one you have to prove a point to is paying attention and I sure don't want to let Him down.
3 comments:
I could NEVER give up soda, NEVER. You are a much stronger person than I am. I am even so weak I couldn't even give up fast food altogether, I just gave up fries. Oh, and I am going to try to be nicer to my mom....you know, my go to lenten promise. So far so good...then again I haven't talked to her today.
I think that's awesome you chose something that you knew would be so hard to give up. I'm thinking that would be like me giving up chocolate. I'm not that strong. Happy to have found your blog. Janae
Best of luck on keeping your commitment! Just a fair warning... I gave up pop for Lent about 10 years ago and when Easter came, I was so excited.
Until...
Until I actually tried pop again and it burned so bad! It burned my throat all the way down and then gave me a huge belly-ache afterward. I really never drink pop (or anything carbonated) anymore because it just doesn't seem to like me. Hopefully that won't happen to you... or maybe that's what you want?!
Post a Comment