Jeremy and I have been practicing giving something up for Lent the past few years. I thought I'd share a bit about why we do this and our heart behind it.
When is Lent?
Lent in 2013 will start on Wednesday, the 13th of February and will continue for 46 days until Saturday, the 30th of March.
In Western Christianity Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Holy Saturday. The six Sundays in Lent are not counted among the forty days of lent because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter", a celebration of Jesus' victory over sin and death. Lent is typically 40 days representing the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert being tempted.
Isn't Lent "Catholic?" Are you Catholic?
No. While Jeremy's family background is Catholic that has nothing to do with why we have currently chosen to take part in Lent. While Lent is practiced by the Catholic church it is also practiced by other denominations as well.
Okay, I don't really know what Lent is. Help, please!
I found this information at Wikepedia to be helpful. Because I actually wasn't very familiar with the history of Lent as it wasn't taught it in the church I grew up in.
So why do you give something up for Lent?
Honestly, this was Jeremy's idea. He liked the idea of sacrificing something in order to prepare for Easter. He basically thought these Christians are onto something good. And while fasting is something we talk about its not something we practice on a regular basis like we should. (Can you relate?)
So how did you get started?
A few years ago Jeremy decided he would give up soda for Lent. I knew very little about Lent and as a "supportive" wife I said, "Go for it!" I knew this would be a challenge for him. But, since I rarely drink soda I felt no inclination to join him. A few days later I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to give up Facebook. But, I didn't want to do it! I came up with one million excuses why this wasn't possible. Two WEEKS later I finally got brave enough to tell Jeremy I thought I needed to join him in fasting only in something different. I knew if I was so reluctant to be obedient this was the exact thing I needed to give up. So, I did it for about four weeks until Easter. (And the world kept revolving without me getting on Facebook- shocker huh?)
What other things have you given up for Lent?
Last year Jeremy gave up chocolate. And he definitely thought it was a challenge. I again choose to give up Facebook. It was still the area I felt God wanted to challenge me through. We try and specifically choose something that will be difficult. If you think, "I could never live without....." You're close to figuring out what you might want to consider giving up. Scary, huh? But, that is kind of the point. Its not really a sacrifice if you pick something that you could easily live without.
What are you giving up this year? Why?
This year I am going to once again give up my time on the internet. I learned last year that I needed to not only fast from Facebook but from blog reading as well or I just substituted how I spent my time on the computer. So, I will allow myself one time a day to check my e-mail. A complete fast isn't really possible since we are in the midst of adopting and a lot of my cupcakes business comes through e-mail.
What's so bad about Facebook? Seriously! And you write a blog for pete's sake!
Nothing! I actually love Facebook. (Thus me choosing to give it up.) While some people are really critical of Facebook I feel I use it for a lot of great purposes like:
-staying in touch with family around the globe
-sharing my faith
-keeping in touch with missionaries
-sharing prayer requests with some of my girlfriends
-sharing our family's adoption journey
-seeing pictures/information on my SON!
I also love blog reading. I read blogs to:
-stay in touch with family & friends
-learn more about being a good mama & wife
-save money
-learn about adoption
-be reminded of God's work around the globe
So if your giving up something good why do it?
Because sometimes its good to give the Holy Spirit some space to work. That is what Lent is for me. Its cutting the "good" so I can say, "God for these six weeks I'm giving you my undistracted best." It's also that for my family, but that is a secondary blessing. Its really about me and the Lord.
This year it is also about exercising trust. I'm not gonna lie this year I am especially dreading giving up Facebook because it is the avenue of communication where I talk to my friend Amy. She is my living breathing link to my son. She occasionally posts pictures. She tells me how he was when she visited him at the orphanage. And that is huge. Recently, she shared with me that an intern at the orphanage had been reading the book we sent about our family to David. I can't really put into words how that blessed my mama heart! But, most of all it made me stand back in awe of God. I didn't organize that. I didn't find a contact and beg them to put my picture in front of my son. God did that all on his own. Because he loves my son more than I do. And so I know David is safe in his hands. (without me monitoring the situation hour by hour on Facebook....even if I kind of want to :)
Maybe I'd like to try giving up something for Lent. Any advice?
Yes! Get someone to do it with you. I find that to be so helpful. One of the most special parts of this time of sacrifice for Jeremy and I is that we do it together. It is also an area he totally led in which I LOVE. But, its also great to do with a friend. This year my friend Heather will be joining me in giving up FB. I know its going to be really difficult for her too so I'm excited about how this will enrich our experience doing it together. (And while Jeremy and I share the sacrifice experience he can't give up Facebook because that wouldn't even be a blip on his sacrifice radar!)
Have you ever given up anything for Lent? What did God teach you through it?
Lord,
You know I am a sinner. I am weak. I don't want to give up something for you because I like being comfortable. But, I love you more. Use this time to teach me, mold me, and change me. I want to understand what it means to sacrifice even if its just something small. Teach me to discipline my heart for your glory.
