You hear it every year. “I am giving up (xyz) for Lent.” “No, thank you. I’m fasting for Lent.” “No. I can’t have that. I gave it up for Lent.” Or a myriad of other “giving up” statements.
Now, I’m not against, by any means, anyone giving up things that consume them for Lent, or any other season. How and if folks choose to observe Lent is between them and God.
Don’t misunderstand me—I’ve “done Lent” by giving up sweets or carbs etc. But I wasn’t really doing it for Him. It was for my own self-serving purposes.
I guess I’m just wondering if we can “do Lent” in other ways. Like trying to be more intentional in our relationships, or in our studies of The Word, or just trying to be a better person today than I was yesterday. Which I certainly don’t need a special season for that – I should do those things everyday, not just during Lent. I know I am rambling here – I’m just thinking out loud.
On this 3rd day of Lent, I am finding myself more reflective, more contemplative, a bit more quiet (for anyone who knows me, THIS is truly something, but it might not last long, since Mississippi State Baseball begins this afternoon at 4:00PM) :), less rushed in my study and just more at peace. It wasn’t something I set out to do or the mood, if you will, that I tried to create. It just is what it is; it is just what has happened since I began thinking about Lent early in the week.
Maybe this is a Lenten cop-out. Maybe there are things I could give up for HIM for Lent. But I also know that HE alone, has brought me this peace, and it feels glorious.
I am thankful for it and for HIS grace that covers me.
Eucharisteo
February 16, 2024
On the Half Shell - Living in the Raw 
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