lame lent
this post is not a slam to the season of lent in any way, so check yourself before you spew any venom this direction...i believe that kind of response is for tims blog!
i have spent the last couple weeks pondering the upcoming lent season...which begins today. i have considered what to "give up". i ran through my past experiences and what i have heard others share: tv, pop, chocolate. in my quest for inspiration i also considered what i could add to my life, a lesser known aspect of lent. so i thought...and waited. i was waiting for that lightning strike idea. you know, the one that as soon as you get it, you know that is what god has for you. even if your first response is "groan..., ugh" you still know it's what you are going to end up doing.
...nothing...
...then it was waiting for me this morning...
for lent this year, i am giving up guilt. while i have always tended toward the feeling guilty end of the spectrum, my new life is riddled with guilt. am i doing enough at work, compromising my daughter's infancy experience, keeping my marriage healthy, being the best steward i can with my household, money, and time; am i eating enough fruit and vegetables, exercising enough....etc.
so, for lent i am giving up guilt and embracing grace and freedom. now, the staunch protestant in me rises up and warns, "careful...do not use your freedom as an excuse for sin." but i have decided to throw caution to the wind and explore these two characteristics that are that core of who my god is.
for lent, i commit to make the best decision i can at that moment...then let it go...and rest in the truth that i am making the best decision i can at that moment.
right now i am going to help my daughter fall asleep for her late afternoon nap
happy lent, may you get to know a new part of god
i have spent the last couple weeks pondering the upcoming lent season...which begins today. i have considered what to "give up". i ran through my past experiences and what i have heard others share: tv, pop, chocolate. in my quest for inspiration i also considered what i could add to my life, a lesser known aspect of lent. so i thought...and waited. i was waiting for that lightning strike idea. you know, the one that as soon as you get it, you know that is what god has for you. even if your first response is "groan..., ugh" you still know it's what you are going to end up doing.
...nothing...
...then it was waiting for me this morning...
for lent this year, i am giving up guilt. while i have always tended toward the feeling guilty end of the spectrum, my new life is riddled with guilt. am i doing enough at work, compromising my daughter's infancy experience, keeping my marriage healthy, being the best steward i can with my household, money, and time; am i eating enough fruit and vegetables, exercising enough....etc.
so, for lent i am giving up guilt and embracing grace and freedom. now, the staunch protestant in me rises up and warns, "careful...do not use your freedom as an excuse for sin." but i have decided to throw caution to the wind and explore these two characteristics that are that core of who my god is.
for lent, i commit to make the best decision i can at that moment...then let it go...and rest in the truth that i am making the best decision i can at that moment.
right now i am going to help my daughter fall asleep for her late afternoon nap
happy lent, may you get to know a new part of god
posted by jamie at 4:10 PM
Comments on "lame lent"
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Sarah said ... (11:19 PM) :
post a commentgood luck with that. i have a feeling you may have chosen the hardest thing to give up. i have already, accidentaly and not so accidentaly broken may fast. im only 3 days in. i think that guilt is another thing i should add to my lent list.