Today is Ash Wednesday. That means the question being asked many times over today will be “So, what are you giving up for Lent?” If anyone is curious about my Lenten sacrifice, I am giving up most internet. Well, specifically, I am giving up Facebook and most social networking outlets online. I am keeping email and this blog, of course. I will also read a few select other blogs. I am restricting internet use because it’s something I feel will give me more time to have quiet time, read devotions, study my Bible, clean my house, etc. In addition to giving something up, I hope to add something. I would like to post every day in this blog. That problem I have had with trying to post regularly is that I often feel that every day occurrences aren’t worthy of posting. But, hey, maybe they ARE. Maybe that’s worthy of reading. I hope so. Maybe I won’t get too boring or silly or whatever else. We’ll see.
Mickey and I attended the 12’noon Ash Wednesday service at our church today. It was a very sweet and simple service. We both received communion and ashes. When we picked Mariana up from preschool, the first thing she did was survey my face, crinkle up her eyebrows and say “What’s that on you’s head, Mommy?” She was puzzled by the ashes and then wanted some for herself.
Yesterday my friend Christi asked me to explain Lent since she has never been in a church that recognizes it. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church and didn’t know much about Lent either until I joined the United Methodist church. So, I think that is quite common. This is the explanation of Lent as was printed on our church’s worship program today:
Season of Lent: Lent is the forty-day season, excluding Sundays, that encourages us to focus on three specific disciplines: prayer, fasting and acts of service. Traditionally, Christians use this time to practice an abstinenence of one form or another, such as the “giving up” of a particular food or habit. Lent is about simplicity and acknowledging God’s love is the source of all life.
In the coming days and weeks, I would like to talk more about Lent and its significance. In addition to various other topics, of course. As always, I welcome all suggestions, comments, etc.
As we go forth into Lent, I wish for this to be a time of reflection, introspection and preparation for us all.
Blessings,
Kelly