Dude, you got something on your forehead

Yesterday, I visited my buddy’s office. He has some coworkers that are also acquaintances of mine. I don’t see these guys that often, but when I do it’s generally a nonchalant “how’s it going? How are the wife and kids? What’s new in the job?” There is also the preverbal handshake for good measure. We are all good red blooded American men, who think conservatively, love women (our own wives), proud of our children, love our country, thankful to God for our jobs, and recognize that He is in control, not us.

Anyway, I was slightly distracted yesterday, as I am preparing a talk for next weekend. I was at my buddy’s office to get some ideas, suggestions, opinions, etc. about what I was speaking on. Well, one of his coworkers (acquaintance) turns around, with a genuine expression of “glad to see you” on it. He holds his hand out for the preverbal hand shake, and I say, “dude, you got something on your forehead.” His response? “Ash Wednesday,” in an expression that he has probably said it that way quite frequently throughout the day. It seems his ash cross may have turned into a smudge. Very unfortunate. My response went something like, “my bad. That’s pretty cool. Ash Wednesday? Really?” I look at the nearest desk calendar in a manner that would make someone think I (the Protestant) was trying to prove him (the Catholic) wrong. “well, yes. I guess you are right…..”

And that little conversation reminded me that Michelle and I usually give up something for Lent. I am going to go on and admit that I am not real happy about the concept of giving something up for Lent. Most of the reason has to do with my upbringing of not celebrating any religious holiday, let alone performing any kind of religious ritual. I won’t go in to how absolutely ridiculous that last sentence sounds, as I do a lot of things ritualistic presently, as well as, celebrate the religious holidays for what they are. I also won’t bring up the idea that I like my routines, and giving them up is very uncomfortable for me. But the truth is, she and I have always been changed after the 40 days. It’s really kind of strange….

Michelle and I have given up everything from computer games, to cable TV. We gave up eating out all together one year. However, we did have a loop hole: If someone asked us to eat we would go. We didn’t want to make them “uncomfortable” with our sacrifice. I gave up coffee one year. Since I had started drinking coffee a few months back, it wasn’t that big of a sacrifice. I recall giving up Fox News a couple of years ago, but since I spent the majority of lent in China, and China doesn’t have Fox News, I probably wouldn’t consider that one a big sacrifice either. There was one time I gave up sweet tea. If you are not from the south, you probably won’t understand. If you haven’t had Michelle’s sweet, you definitely don’t get it.

I did some research on what others have given up for Lent. I thought I might share.
1) Alcohol – no brainer
2) Smoking – ditto
3) Soft drinks – that’s cool
4) TV – whoopee….
5) Meat – that could be painful
6) Chocolate – ok, I can see that
7) Sex – Now hold on! Let’s talk about this….
8) The internet – that‘s interesting.
9) Make-up – huh?
10) Shopping – that’s a good one

Some others I found included: stress, gossip, road rage, “the rat race”, dealing with “the man”, fear, sarcasm, etc. A good friend of mine said he was going to give up sobriety. I want to say he was joking, but the more I think about it, I am not really sure… ;) I also found where some were adding things for Lent. Some of these include: exercising, stretching in the morning, sending positive text messages on purpose, reading the bible each day, working in a soup kitchen, etc. I have to admit; I am impressed with the creativity that some have about sacrifice.

You see the purpose of giving something up (or adding something) for Lent is to experience a little bit of the pain and agony that Jesus suffered while dying on the cross. I like the idea, but I have a hard time getting over the concept that me giving up “solitaire” on the computer even comes close to Jesus bleeding on a cross. I mean, come on: do we really think we can compare to Jesus’ agony by giving up a cup of coffee? The irony is I think our little sacrifice can make a difference. For each of us its different, but giving things up, or adding things to our lives on purpose helps us to focus on why we are doing that particular thing. For that period of time our schedule changes. We are uncomfortable with what is going on in what is usually our normal routines. And for many of us, that little change is all we need to have that “I am going to change my life for the better” moment.

For Michelle and I we notice that we talk more. We play with our kids more. We read our bible more. We pray together more. Granted, initially we are trying to just fill time that is usually being filled by what we have given up. But inevitably, our normal routines have changed to more quality time. We generally, do “something” more that is productive and adds a positive experience to our life. So, as much as I am disgruntled about Lent, that is why I continue to do it. If you practice Lent, what are some things that you give up, and why?