Thursday, February 18, 2010

lenten season

dear emily,

many believers fast or give up something for lent.  when hailey
was five or six, she told an elder in our church that she was
fasting dark chocolate.  she hated dark chocolate.

it's not an altogether bad idea to fast what we hate: lies, gossip,
unkind thoughts or deeds, self pity, laziness...my list could go
on for a while.

the trouble with that, though, is "what you focus on, increases."
i stole that from andy andrews' book,  "the noticer."

i respect those who sacrifice at this time when we consider the
Lord's 40 days in the wilderness and His crucifixion.  it shows
an empathy for His suffering, that we take for granted.

instead of sacrificing for lent this year, however, i am going to
lean.  lean on His words, His love, His laying down of His life,
and on His everlasting arms.

i would love to hear what you are doing at this sacred time.

love,
lea

"what thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but Thine the deadly pain."

19 comments:

Karen said...

Lea, I had to laugh at fasting from dark chocolate. I would have a hard time with that one!
I love your "lean" ideas. Ideas I should incorporate this week, too.
I am reminding myself to not let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth. The tongue is the hardest thing to tame, isn't it?!
I so enjoy coming here for truly excellent posts.

Single and Sane said...

Over the last couple of years, I've heard more people talk about "adding" during Lent. I'm giving up Facebook games, but I think I'm going to "add" reading the words of hymns to each day. I might even sing a few!

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my place. It's been a pleasure to browse through your site and get to know you a wee bit.

We'll come again soon............ blessings as you 'lean' into Him during this season.

May you catch glimpses of heaven in unexpected places.

Jenners said...

I for one would be making a sacrifice if I gave up dark chocolate for Lent. But that is cute to give up someting you don't like anyway. I love loopholes!

And you had stopped by to visit and asked about the "etiquette" of deleting a blog you don't really want to follow. I think no blogger should feel obligated to read a blog they don't want to ... life is too short. The only thing that should happen is that they might not follow your blog, and what is wrong with that? : )

It can be a little weird at first when you blog and feel obligated to read everyone's blog who reads yours, but I just think that is impossible and it makes no sense to do that. If they give you trouble about it, just say you have limited time and had to cut some blogs that you don't really have the best fit with. But I just can't imagine that happening.

Best of luck and thanks for the visit.

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I'm with you on this one! Instead of giving something up, I'm adding more focused prayer time to my daily routine. In doing so, I'm "giving up" some free time, but truly, nothing is lost with more prayers. Only gain.

peace~elaine

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

A great idea to "lean" on all that the Lord has to offer. Daily, it is a goal and desire to be more like Him...Thank goodness for His mercy and grace when we fall short.

Blessings & Aloha!
(I read Jenners comment...boy oh boy...how I would love to keep up with all the wonderful blogs that I have come across! But what she said is sooo true...it would be impossible to keep up! I am thankful for the couple of days off from work this week, so that I can do some catch up reading and commenting...otherwise...there are periods of time that pass that blog reading isnt possible...) With that said...Thank you for coming by and come back any time.

Kate said...

I've never given up anything for Lent, but this year I am giving up Facebook. Day 2 and no sweats or shaking or anything, so I think that's a good sign :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I'm excited that you've seen Green-Wood! It is really hard to explain how special it is in photos. The cemetery's historian told us that after 21 years he is still learning new things about the cemetery and the people buried there.

My husband has given up bread for Lent, which is a big sacrifice for him, but for the past few years I have tried to do a good deed each day instead of giving something up. Even just a smile can mean so much to someone who is lonely.

Joan Elizabeth said...

My plan is to go to bed earlier so I can get up earlier and have a more solid quiet time. Perhaps by the end of Lent I will have established a habit ... so it's good night Lea.

But before I go ...as per the comments above, it is impossible to follow all the blogs I come across and some people who enjoy my blog just don't have blogs I enjoy. So I pick and choose. I enjoy your blog immensely.

Kristin said...

I'm so glad I found your blog. Each day that I visit, I go away refreshed!

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

That's a good idea to fast what we hate. Really good. Now you have me thinking. :)

Deborah Ann said...

I remember as a child giving up brownies for lent. Why? Because I knew I only was tempted with them once or twice during lent, and I thought it would be an easy way out. Shame on me! But I was just a kid.

Now...I am fascinated by this scripture:

Matthew 9:13 "I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

And I have learned that to have mercy on others is God-worthy, but sacrifice is not...

Please see my post on this subject:

http://heavenlyhumor.blogspot.com/2010/02/mercy-vs-sacrifice.html

Vee said...

I'm all for leaning. Always. Lean, lean, lean. And it's very true that what we focus on increases. Excellent reminder of that simple truth, yet profound truth.

Deanna Gott said...

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! This goes right along with my two poems... : )

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post! Thanks for coming by to say hello, and my Mom said you can come over to play any time! Sandy

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hi Lea, your comment really touched my heart. I've found, that as God has made us all different, He calls us to "do" certain things for Him. I knew in my heart that a "Bible Study" was what I was supposed to do. Your blog is just as important, because it is straight from your heart and uplifting. Mine can be "heavier" to digest and causes a little friction now and then, as you probably saw this last week!! I appreciate you being here and supporting the Bible Study. As far as lent goes, I'm not doing anything "specific" for the season. But trying to listen and put God first in my time.
hugs and blessings,
Debra

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Lea
Thank you for visiting my blog and the kind comments you left. I could say I could give up sailing but actually I don't sail ... just stand watching and dreaming..

I'm not Catholic so, although aware of Lent have never experienced the practice.. however I think that you are spot on. that 'whatever we focus on increases' at least in respect to avoidance... So to practice a positive action rather than an avoidance is a lovely thought. However having said that, the practice of self control helps to exercise those muscles for the moments when we need them most. Have a great weekend.. x Julie

Charm and Grace said...

What a beautiful post. I have never been one to give up something for Lent because I don't view my walk with the Lord like that. The things I need to give up should be given up daily. He helps me see what those things are as I walk with Him. Thus, it is a walk of freedom... freedom in the context of being His slave. Thank you for your comment on my Remembering Victoria post. Lovely to meet you!

Blessings,
Christi

Julie Harward said...

Thanks for the visit...I think I will remember him and follow and serve and love others...I do want to be like him :D