It's that time of the year when many Christians "give up" a certain something. I'm Protestant which means my denomination's roots run very deep in the "do NOT" give something up. Once you have it, keep it at all cost! We do not like to be called cheap; you might say we are a bit of hoarders: MINE! So to give something up at Lent goes beyond our bounds....although many Presbyterians are (re)claiming the ancient practice. My Fb feed is filled with "giving up chocolate for Lent," "giving up Facebook for Lent, see you on the 'other' side," and so on. I've always wondered about the practice. Yes, I understand Jesus gave up His life for us so we are to "give" something up. I grew up in a predominately Catholic community so many of my friends' comments went along these lines: 6 more weeks till I can eat chocolate; I can't wait till Easter comes and I can eat hamburgers again. Now I am NOT criticizing my friends or their faith. Please do not misread that. I just always wondered why practice something when you don't really have a heart for it. Many people give something up like smoking and stick to it. I would challenge those who do that to give what you would spend on cigarettes and make a donation to the Lung Association or Cancer research (cancer sucks!) or a charity of their choosing. Recently I have read and reread articles and blogs about 50 shades of violence against women. One blogger challenged her readers to donate the price of going to the movies ($25.00 or more) to organizations for the betterment of women or women's advocacy programs. Really put your money into something worthwhile.
It is an overwhelming thought. We can make a difference with our voices and our money.
Of course there are those who don't give something up but "add" something to their Lenten season. This is the equivalent of -paying it forward-- another novel idea. The practice of giving something up is very internal (or it could be if it isn't followed by giving away the money you would have spent on that giving something up thing....I'm confusing you, right?....it's early and Strawberry doesn't do early....hey maybe I could give up.....no, need to get up early for the job....hey, I could give up the job.....no, too many of us in college!). If I give up chocolate and that's it, I'm not thinking of others and Jesus is all about thinking of others. If I give up chocolate and donate what I'd spend on chocolate to a Boys and Girls Club or better yet, donate my time to that organization, what a difference I could make. If I "add" volunteering at a Boys and Girls Club...either way, an organization benefits and Christ's mission continues. Think about it; I know I am. It is not too late to practice kindness and love and walking humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).
And if you are a praying a person, please keep a special little 3rd grader in your prayers. Yesterday I heard one of my students was in a horrible car wreck on their way to school. I was told in the morning she was on life support and it didn't look good. I followed up to make sure the info was correct and the principal's assistant said she was in surgery and "it didn't look good." My heart is breaking for this family.
Stay safe, Grainiacs. I love you all.
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