The Lenten Experiment, 2012

So this year I couldn’t decide what to give up for Lent. I was also reading Jen Hatmaker’s gut-wrenching book 7 (yes, the number is the title) about seven areas of excess and the importance of cutting back. It’s no accident that God had me reading that book at the beginning of Lent. So what did I give up? 

A little bit of everything. 

I will be giving away something to someone outside of my house every day. Without bringing something back in to replace it. (Exception: outgrown kid’s clothes which actually need to be replaced). And I pray that each item can meet a specific need. Yesterday it was muffins for my neighbor. Today it will be a bag of (gently used) crayons for a friend. We have a bazillion and I was not about to throw them away. Tomorrow? I have no idea.

So why am I posting this? It’s not so I can say “Look at me, I’m doing good stuff!” Because this will not be easy. Giving away your things--when you would much rather have a yard sale and make at least a few bucks--is not fun.  Finding someone to bless with specific items, making that match, will not be easy. But I have a feeling God will send specific needs my way. He has a way of doing that.

I’m looking forward to the journey. But not looking forward to what He may ask me to give up. Especially if it’s books (just being honest).

The Lenten Experiment, Parts 1 and 2

The Lenten Experiment

What happens when a Baptist gives up chocolate for Lent? Why would a Baptist do such a thing? (What woman in her right mind gives up chocolate for 40 days?) These were all questions I asked myself when I prepared to give something up for Lent for the first time ever, three years ago. The first week was the worst. When I walked down the aisles at the commissary, all I could see was chocolate. It was EVERYWHERE! My husband (dear sweet man) walked to the shoppette and bought two candy bars “One for me, one for you” and then two seconds later realized that he had forgotten. Fortunately, we could laugh about it.

After about a week, it began to wear off. There were a few days in the middle where I didn’t actually want chocolate at all. (I know, weird, right?) That wore off. As I walked down the aisle at the commissary and chocolate tried to jump in my cart, I thought, “Really, what is 40 days without chocolate compared to 3 hours on the cross? Christ’s sacrifice was so much greater.”

One time I did slip. We were at a farewell dinner for a friend and the one-menu-fits-all dessert was chocolate and I ate it, not wanting to cause a stir. I felt bad, though, because I had promised God I would do this thing and I messed it up. The next day I got up, renewed my promise, and followed through...until 00:01 Easter morning.

I was at the chapel every evening during Holy Week running the sound board for Catholic Mass, including the Midnight Mass on Saturday. Afterward Father assured me that Lent was indeed over, even if it was just 00:01 on Easter morning. We had chocolate cake. It was delicious.

The Lenten Experiment, Part 2

Last year I gave up Facebook for Lent. At first, I would just sit and stare at my computer screen, hoping to get an email. It was really rather pathetic. But I had been spending WAY too much time on FB and needed to cut myself off cold turkey so I could learn to function in the real world again. Lent seemed like a really convenient time to do this. So...I had a 40-day Facebook fast.

Again, after a few weeks it got better. Towards the end I looked forward to the return of Facebook in my life, with a focus on not letting it run my life. This is still something I struggle with, especially now that we have wireless internet in the house and I can sit on the couch and be on Facebook and ignore my family. (Bad Laura! Bad Laura!) I don’t do this very often. I hope.

This year? I haven’t decided. One of my friends adds a spiritual discipline every year (spending more time reading the Bible, praying more, etc) instead of giving something up. Don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I’m thirty...something years old, and I’ve only participated in Lent twice. So I don’t know if it’s going to become a regular thing. Whatever I do, the decision won’t be taken lightly. 

I’ll keep you posted.