Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The purpose of Lent is to reflect, repent, and soul-search in the 40 days leading up to Easter. It's a time to focus on Jesus and what he did for us. He spent 40 days in the wilderness, so the idea is to give something up for 40 days and in a sense, enter the wilderness like Jesus did.
I always feel a lot of pressure to figure out what to give up for Lent or what to add to my life for these 40 days. It always seems to sneak up on me! I'm not great at giving up things, which is the purpose of giving something up, but still...In college, I gave up Pepsi one year. That was silly. One can not live without it. What was I thinking?! Since then, I have always been adamant about not giving something up. Working with the Youth Group, I feel like I need to set a good example - and if we encourage them to give something up, I should do it too.
I could give up online shopping (thanks for the idea, Whitney!) because heaven knows I'm good at that! But, then, I think - I should've bought my makeup refills yesterday and I do still need to get a birthday gift for my cousin...the list goes on and on. Maybe I could give up buying craft supplies, scrapbook supplies, fabric, and sewing notions online. That would be actually good. Just online, though, right? I could still go to Craft Warehouse?!
What about the idea of adding something?! I heard about that idea in college and really liked it. They say that it takes a period of time to make something a habit - so adding something like reading the Bible everyday, would hopefully create a habit by Easter. I've been doing better about reading scriptures because of my Scripture Challenge I'm doing during 2009. I'm still not great, not consistent, not studying as much as skimming...I could pray more...I could make an effort to go to church each Sunday (what a concept!).
I think I'll do the online crafty shopping. It will be tough, but I can do it. (Plus, it will be a lot easier to pay my taxes!!!) Forty days...here we go!
2 comments:
You can do it:)! I know what you mean about the staples that you pretty much have to buy online...For me it's things like facewash (cheaper online!) and things like that...I guess I meant more like clothes and shoes and makeup and all that good stuff;).
Thanks for sharing...It's always interesting to see what other people consider important enough to 'give up.' You must be quite crafty:)!!
Have a great Thurs:)!
I appriciate this post. I think we all have things in our lives we could give up and definatly add some good things in their place. It's all about living our lives to become closer to Jesus. Good luck!
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