Growing up, my family never observed Lent. But, then again, we were mostly an Easter- and Christmas-only church-attending family, so we didn’t really observe many religious traditions or rituals.
In junior high I started attending a Baptist church with a friend on Wednesday evenings and sometimes Sundays, but I don’t remember Lent being mentioned. It’s possible I could have forgotten, but I doubt it. I was pretty inquisitive.
The first time I remember observing even Ash Wednesday was after college when I was attending a Presbyterian Church in Houston. Even there, I don’t remember anything being mentioned from the pulpit about giving anything up for Lent.
Over the years I have heard people talk about giving things for Lent and, although I’ve never had a serious spiritual conversation with anyone who is Catholic about it, or now that I think about it, any Pastors at all, I think it is a just ‘officially’ a Catholic observance.
I’ve never given anything up for Lent. And I don’t know that I ever will.
I think the idea is that you give something up in remembrance of the sacrifice Christ made for us, and, perhaps each time you crave that thing you reach for Him instead of it.
Instead of taking something away, I see these 40 days (plus the Sundays) as a beautiful opportunity to recommit myself to following Christ by adding to my life, rather than taking away from it.
(Please don’t take that as an argument against a traditional observance of Lent– please remember that I am not ‘properly’ versed in the the observance of Lent.)
I have been craving more time with Him, and unable to make it ‘stick’ in my days. So this Lenten season, I have decided to download Candace Crabtree’s Wait Only Upon God ebook and use it as a prayer and devotional guide. (Yes, she has an affiliate program, but, no, I am not using an affiliate link.)
You might remember Candace as a Bible in 90 Days mentor here on MomsToolbox a few years ago. I think she is an amazing woman who continues to use her gifts to His glory. And so I trust her leading.
I recognize that, for me, the next 47 days (I’m including the Sundays) need be a season of listening and waiting, as it relates to my relationship with our Father and what His next steps are for me. I feel an emptiness in not facilitating Bible in 90 Days for so long. But I’m not sure that is His plan for me. He knows… and I must wait… and listen. And so I will do so as guided by Candace’s devotional guide.
Wanna join me in following Wait Only Upon God?
If you do want to join me, or even if you don’t, I would still like to hear about your thoughts on Lent.
Do you observe it? Why or why not? And how do you observe it– and, of course, if you do observe it, why do you observe it the way you do?
I would really appreciate your input in the comments of this post so my understanding can grow. And, as much as I would like to read your thoughts, I doubt I am the only one who will benefit from you sharing here. So, please, share away…
Thanks, friends, for reading.
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