I did not grow up Catholic, but I’ve always felt that there’s an importance of participating in Lent. It’s a season to practice preparation for Easter (or in some cases the holy week) through prayer, fasting, giving, and self denial. In the past I always participated in Lent through fasting and self-denial of foods that I loved but deemed “bad” because of current health trends or just wanting to take a break from them to lose weight. Not quite what Lent is about, but I can say that it taught me self-discipline and to look to God for strength to say no to things that I don’t physically need. Even years where I thought disordered eating and thinking was a thing of the past, I still gave up food-related things. Looking back on that now I believe that my head was in the right place, but my heart was not.
In light of our recent miscarriage, I’ve discovered more than ever that food-related issues are a thing of the past. All of those other struggles I’ve faced in my lifetime are terribly minute compared to the pain of losing our sweet child. I once again realize the incredible freedom of not worrying about food, and feel more than ever (even though I will be baking with butter and sugar and bacon still) that my body is here to nourish in a healthful way – both for me, Nate, and our future family. That’s why this year, rather than giving up meat or sugar or dairy or soft drinks (aka Cokes if you’re from Texas), I’m going to be reading through the Psalms and then journeling/meditating on them. Sometimes I might post those thoughts, and sometimes I won’t. But I’m tired of living life in a state of self-denial and believe that I need to now accept the gift of scripture and the ability to apply it to life.
Plus it’ll be nice to eat sugar-coated cheesy bacon dipped in Coke (gross, not really) with gusto and still be able to praise God because of it 🙂
Are you practicing Lent this year? What are your thoughts on the reasons for Lent? Let’s keep it classy y’all!
This is truly inspiring. I love it! Such an awesome goal. Go for it, girl
Heather…I’m so sorry to hear about your loss 🙁 My heart goes out to you.
As for Lent…I’m not Catholic, but I have participated in Lent for the past few years. I was raised Southern Baptist, and while I don’t necessarily identify with that denomination anymore, I’m still a Christian. I think that Lent is a test in self-restrain and time to be introspective. I gave up cheese last year, and every time I struggle, I thought, “and WHY exactly am I giving up cheese?”
I think your taking on Psalms will be a wonderful way to spend Lent season. Enjoy your bacon!
haha I love the sugar coated cheesy bacon comment 🙂 You know, it might go well as a snack while you’re reading through Psalms! And btw….great idea! That book is amazing and uplifting. I hope that the Lord shows you some awesome things through it!
I had to SERIOUSLY consider my motives when giving up something for Lent! I realized that I’m just too selfish of a person to give up chocolate for the Lord (it would definitely be for myself instead) so I did what you did – started ADDING things instead! Extra prayer and Bible study gave me so much more than taking something away could. However, we all have such different personalities and struggles with sin that you really have to be honest of what can you do that is glorifying to God – giving up or adding in or both!
ps i hope God speaks to you SO much as you read through them! I know He will!
BEAUTIFUL POST HEATHER!!!
i think thats awesome what you are doing with lent. i am giving up ANY kind of gossip about others- its so easy to do that whenever you are around other people who talk about people (esp in college!!!) you are awesome!!!
I love this girl!!! I want to do that too (:
For me Lent is about renewal in Christ. I’m a combination of Lutheran, Catholic, and Episcopalian, and each of these three traditions place heavy importance on the season of Lent. During the 40+ days, we look toward the cross, reflecting on the areas of our lives that need attention and transformation.
Lent is by far my favorite season in the liturgical calendar. Yes, even above Advent and Christmas. It’s something I missed while attending non-denominational churches because spent little to no time focusing on the steady, slow approach to Holy Week, the type that is emphasized in this season.
During Lent, I find myself redirected and resituated. I am constantly reminded to look inward and prepare to experience the celebration of Maundy Thursday, the darkness of Good Friday, and the new birth of Easter Sunday.
This year, in addition to giving up different areas of consumption (technology, tastes, etc.), my boyfriend and I are doing Soup Suppers every Wednesday night. Tonight, after our Ash Wednesday service, we sat down, ate a bowl of cream of potato soup with bread, and embarked on our Lenten journey together. Earlier in the day we visited the seminary that I attend and picked out a wonderful Lenten devotional entitled “My Body Broken.” Since I have an affinity for 1940-50’s devotionals, we selected a Lutheran one that includes a piece of Scripture, a daily prayer, and a lesson for every day of Lent (plus 7 sermons). Each day ends with the Lord’s Prayer – the prayer both of us said every night growing up, and the one we continue to say together each day.
For me Lent is a time of redirection. It is a time to walk the stations of the Cross and experience vividly the Christ’s forty days of preparation.
What a fantastic attitude 🙂 I’ve given up texting for Lent, but only because I know it will lead me to connect more with those I want to take the time to communicate with. I like positive attitudes in Lent 🙂
Hey Heather, I have been thinking along the same lines as you. I always have given up a food related thing because most often that is what I was thinking about the most. This year I am feeling convicted to give up TV, except for news related things like the Weather channel if needed. Even this evening it has already changed my evening habit – instead of having dinner in front of the TV I am sitting at my kitchen table and reading through my daily Bible Reading for the Lent Season. God is so good to give us so many chances isn’t He. I am praying for you and Nate in this sad and hard season of life. We do serve a mighty God, who loves us more than imaginable. The only one that gave his son to die as a sacrifice so that we could all become His children and be able to spend eternity with Him.
I love this post, Heather! Why have I never thought to do this? I’m currently working through a Beth Moore study and by “working through”, I mean putting off until the last minute which isn’t exactly possible with Beth Moore studies! I’m going to follow your lead and really make my time with God/scripture reading time/Bible study time a priority. 🙂
…So, what I’m giving up is my computer time in the morning.
I love your approach. I’m giving up alcohol (for sipirtual reasons…not to lose weight) but I’m also going to give up reading my iPhone in my bedroom and replacing that time on it with time spent in prayer, devotionals and the Bible.
Thanks for sharing your spiritual side with us!
This year for Lent, I’m going to give up saying negative things about my husband’s job. His position keeps him away from home for two weeks and he gets to come home every other weekend right now. I haven’t been exactly supportive, so I figured that would be the perfect thing to give up, as it’s something I really need to work on and it’s quite difficult for me!
We’re doing the LoveDare too! Love it!
This is such a good idea. The Bible in itself is such a dynamic book. There is nothing new under the sun and much to reap from good counsel. People really lack the wisdom from this book, simply because they do not read it. Keep up the good work, Heather. Pink Bibles and good versions of it are really becoming!
what a great idea. I love psalms. My husband and I are doing the LOVE DARE book now. Its amazing. A great way to reconnect.
I completely know what you mean about not having your head AND heart in something like lent. I used to be the same way. I always feel that I grow even more from the start to end of the lent season.
I normally don’t give up food. I believe one should give up something that makes them better as a person. So this year I am giving up my potty mouth that I seem to have aquired while working at my current job. I’v been told it’s not very lady like : )
Good for you, Heather! I think it’s relative for every person based on where they are in life, but overall the intention should consistently be for the Glory of God. I am giving up a food item this year. In addition, Billy and I are reading The Love Dare – a 40 day devotional study for married couples. https://thelovedarebook.com/
I hope you’ll post about what you learn in Psalms.
Last year I gave up Facebook for Lent because I found I wasted SO much time browsing around. It was hard at first because it was sort of a habit to log-in and read on a regular basis. Since then I have gotten to where I log-in once a month at most. It really gave me a chance to make better use of my time– sitting in front of the computer doing mindless Facebooking is certainly not the most God-glorifying activity! The exercise also encouraged me to call or email people I hadn’t heard from in a while versus just keeping up with their lives via status update and photo album.
For this year, I think I am going to make a commitment to reduce the amount of time I spend reading blogs each day. I don’t want to cut it out completely as I do think they are beneficial for learning valuable information (unlike Facebook), but I am finding that I am wasting a lot of time.
I will be praying for you guys! And I think this is a wonderful idea for lent Heather! 🙂
Love this decision! MUCH more effective than fasting some type of food!
I decided to not go the self denial route this year and I’m instead giving up my negative thoughts since I think that will make a more positive impact that forgoing sweets!
Sounds perfect!
I absolutely LOVE this post! I think your purest intentions are shining through and I am going to join you on this! Thanks for the encouragement!
I think that your on to something. I joined a 40 days of prayer this morning and it really got me thinking about Lent. I had been working on a Beth Moore study of the Psalms, but have stepped away from it for a couple of weeks. I think that getting back into the Bible would be a great way to celebrate Lent. If anyone is interested on the 40 days, check out my blog (www.crashingtheboysclub.blogspot.com). I have a link to it. I’m not trying to self-promote, just trying to pass on a good thing.
love this idea for lent! i’m not so much about giving things up but i love your idea of adding something beneficial 🙂
I’ve had the same thought process about Lent this year. I like the thought of recognizing Lent and the season leading up to Easter, but don’t like how for me in the past it would be a time to restrict some sort of food as well. I’m doing similar to you and this year focusing on taking more time each morning for prayer, bible study, and reflection.