A quick Lenten reflection

Lent often feels like the New Year to me.  With deciding what to give up (or what to add), it's like making a New Year's Resolution.  And, just like New Year's Resolutions, it never fails that I slip-up. 

This year, I really wanted to try to stick to the three-fold purpose of Lent: fasting, alms-giving, and prayer.  (Yup, there's three things to do to help you grow spiritually during Lent, not just fasting.)  First, I gave up snacking between meals as my fast.  For extra prayer, I gave up using the dishwasher and was determined to use that time washing dishes to send up a couple extra prayers.  For alms-giving I was going to try to find something each time I shop with coupons...something that I could donate that would mean a great amount to an organization.  Mainly, I wanted my shopping trips to be more than just about me and how much I could save.  I want those savings to start going toward worthy organizations.

Upon reflection of these things...I have done better this year than others.  Scratch that.  This shouldn't be about comparing to past years or comparing to other people.  The only thing important here should be how these things are helping me devleop my relationship with Christ and become a better Christian.

Having that said, I'm trying my best to keep the spirit of these intentions.  There have been a number of times that I have used the dishwasher and even more times that I have washed dishes by hands without offering up any prayers.  But I am trying to pray more during the day.  And the times that I do remember to pray because I'm washing dishes, those are great!  And that's really what Lent is all about.

I have also donated a few items.  Toiletries are great things to buy and donate because often drug stores will have those basically for free.  I had stocked up on just a few items and luckily St. Peter's in Montgomery was having a "grocery store" drive.  I took all my items there and feel confident they will be put to good use.

My biggest discovery though this Lent has come from giving up snacking.  The first week of Lent, it seemed like there was food all around me.  Leftover muffins and cookies in the breakroom, little Easter candies on people's desks at work, and of course all those snacky foods that I've been getting at home with coupons.  And what was truly amazing to me was how often I would reach for some of those foods without even giving it a second thought.  (Now, I have actually done very well with this intention.  I think I've only snacked once or twice, and this includes grabbing a little Hershey's Kiss or tootsie roll from candy bowls.)

The thing is, it has taken me time to train myself to actually THINK before I act.  Now, when I see a bowl of candy or potato chips, I have trained my brain to know I shouldn't be reaching for one (unless I am eating it as a dessert for my meal...which I guess could be considered a cheat).  But what a joy that I can commemorate this season of Lent with learning such an important lesson in temperance and restraint!  Not only am I learning that I need to think more before I act, but I am learning that it is actually possible to train yourself to do certain things!

It might sound silly.  You might be reading this going, well duh, of course you can train yourself.  But I encourage you to challenge yourself, whether it be for Lent or a New Year's Resolution or just something you want to try.  Truly challenge yourself to give something up.  And make it something you enjoy and do often, but that you know isn't the best habit.  Maybe watching TV, facebook, snacking, carbonated drinks, smoking, alcohol, whatever it may be.  I think you will find that a first, that sacrifice is much more difficult than you thought it would be.  But remain strong, pray about it, and you will be surprised at the amount of restraint you can develop.  Through God, you truly do have the ability to do anything you set your mind to.