Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Lamenting Lent
35, 36, 37. . . .yes, Holy Week days are included in Lent - dang! I was hoping it ended at some point midweek.
That is, unfortunately, how my Lent is going this year. Some things have been really great. It's not like my journey has been stagnant. It's just that what I gave up this year has been surprisingly difficult to sacrifice.
It's not very Baptist of me - to observe Lent or to give up wine - but, that's what I did. Not just any wine. Oh no, I gave up the other drink (besides coffee) that I refer to as the "Nectar of the gods" - red wine.
The first few weeks were not too bad. But the last couple have been much more challenging. And this week - well I am pretty convinced that absolutely no one who has teenagers should ever ponder giving up alcohol during Lent!
See, there I go again. Exagerating my sacrifice - I can have any drink I care for, except red wine. The issue is the value I have placed on this particular beverage. It is for me a treat. An occasional glass allows me a sense of pleasure. Kind of like my morning coffee. A deep breath, a sip - it soothes my soul.
Coffee. . .that was a Lent journey that also proved difficult during the final week. Perhaps it is because we see the end in sight. Easter is just a few days away. But this week was very difficult for Jesus. Friday comes before Sunday.
Perhaps this journey is on course afterall.
simple faith
35, 36, 37. . . .yes, Holy Week days are included in Lent - dang! I was hoping it ended at some point midweek.
That is, unfortunately, how my Lent is going this year. Some things have been really great. It's not like my journey has been stagnant. It's just that what I gave up this year has been surprisingly difficult to sacrifice.
It's not very Baptist of me - to observe Lent or to give up wine - but, that's what I did. Not just any wine. Oh no, I gave up the other drink (besides coffee) that I refer to as the "Nectar of the gods" - red wine.
The first few weeks were not too bad. But the last couple have been much more challenging. And this week - well I am pretty convinced that absolutely no one who has teenagers should ever ponder giving up alcohol during Lent!
See, there I go again. Exagerating my sacrifice - I can have any drink I care for, except red wine. The issue is the value I have placed on this particular beverage. It is for me a treat. An occasional glass allows me a sense of pleasure. Kind of like my morning coffee. A deep breath, a sip - it soothes my soul.
Coffee. . .that was a Lent journey that also proved difficult during the final week. Perhaps it is because we see the end in sight. Easter is just a few days away. But this week was very difficult for Jesus. Friday comes before Sunday.
Perhaps this journey is on course afterall.
simple faith
Labels: Lent
# posted by simple faith : 9:32 PM
