I have participated in Lent before but this year it will be different. In the past I gave up things I knew I could live without. They were things that may cause me to miss it a little but not enough to make me think too hard about it.
This year, though, I've gone all in. I'm giving up sweets. This includes the ice cream I love multiple nights a week. It includes a little snack size kit kat I can pull out of my desk drawer. It even includes cake a baby showers or desserts with friends.
For me... this is a HUGE sacrifice. It seems dumb that this is such a big deal. I mean, there are many things in this life that should be more important. And truthfully those things are probably more important but are not things I can or should cut out of my life, even on a temporary basis. (Like God, my husband, my dogs, my job and family...)
So it has been decided that for 40 days, I will not be eating sweets.
Today is day one. Sadly, all that has crossed my mind has been the chocolate in my drawer at work, how ice cream tonight sounds really good and how the only things that look appealing on Pinterest are the desserts. I'm sure the first few days are the hardest... then it becomes a habit or a new normal. At least that is my hope. That the thought of something sweet every 20 minutes maybe grows to only once or twice a day.
I don't want to completely lose the thought though because the truth is, it is about sacrifice. It's about discipline and choosing to replace the desire with something pure and holy. So needless to say I've prayed a lot today. That can never be a bad thing.
Here's to the next 40 days of cravings sweets and prayer for strength, presence and intimacy with the Holy Spirit.
