1st Day of Lent--let the withdrawl and worship commence

This is the very first year I have actually looked ahead on the calendar and tried to think ahead for my participation in Lent.  The first few years I would plan on doing something, but never quite thought through that approximately 40 days before Easter means Lent would begin around the end of February.  So every time, I figured out it was Lent sometime about a week (or more!) into it, and would jump in feeling more than a little pathetic for being so late. 

Last year I found myself looking forward to Lent, but even then, I forgot to actually write down Ash Wednesday on the calendar, so it was the first day of Lent before I realized it!  But hey, there's spiritual significance even in procrastination and negligence. ; )  Here's what I wrote then:*

I love Lent. I have actually been anticipating Lent this year, knowing I sure needed a really Good reason to shake some bad habits that have been creeping upon me this past year, but not quite able to make myself start sooner. In fact, I was not even able to make myself start on time. Yesterday, Ash Wednesday, was actually the first day of Lent, but I used it to pray about what I was really supposed to be giving up ('cause as a Christian, if Lent is not about renewing the dialogue of faith between me and God, then something is wrong). . . and to gorge on chocolate, you know, in preparation for giving it up for the next 40 days. Eh, my imperfections and His grace are what this is all about, so it's ok. ; )

No, really, Lent is a human tradition, not some holy sacrament, and I actually enjoyed starting the official first day indulging in something I was "supposed" to be abstaining from as a way of reminding myself that giving these things up are my choice and the more I enjoy them, the more of a gift they are when I give them over to God. And I liked starting out "fallen," so there was no urge for self-righteousness, or the legalistic (and self-elevating) pride in deed that would make Lent about me and not about God. I mean, it is about me, and what God wants to do in me, and me stripping down and saying, "Take whatever pleases you, Lord, and just fill me with You." But the reason for the giving, the beauty in it, the trust and love and freedom through it--those are all from God, and will ultimately have nothing to do with what I do or do not do for the next 40 days.

That's pretty much where I am again.  I have really been looking forward to Lent this year, and even had it on the calendar, so I'm here and ready!

On the altar this year:

--All sweets, yes, including my beloved dark chocolate. 

--Just like last year, I am going to be avoiding carbohydrates as much as I can.  So, virtually no bread or pasta or white rice for me for the next 46 days!  I'll let myself have a little brown rice and quinoa sometimes, but mainly will rely upon veggies for my starches (like potatoes, sweet potatoes).  In fact, most of my diet will be cooked veggies, in various yummy forms.  Veggies and lot of dairy.  And the occassional foray into meat.  

From my gluten-free/ultra-low-carb Lenten experiment last year, I know it is really, really hard to go totally wheat free when I am also mostly vegetarian and--the hardest of all--when I am allergic to most raw fruits, veggies and nuts.  So, when you get those allergies into play, and realize I can't just eat an apple or carrot when I am hungry like most of you can, you understand why I am not being militant about this low-carb thing.  I am still a busy homeschool mommy, and I need some foods I can eat without a lot of preparation!  So one Lenten indulgence will be whole-grain rye crackers.  Those are fairly good for you, and are also fairly low on the glycemic index, so they will be fine for my blood sugar.  Another will be organic white cheddar popcorn--another semi-healthy quick and yummy snack that has some protein to offset the carbs. 

The goal here is to give something up that I have grown to depend upon--in this case, too many carbs--that I know are not good for me, but which I don't feel like going without.  So, giving it up as a gift to God at Lent gives me a really good reason to be purposeful and strict with myself.  Choosing to give up things that are bad for my body has spiritual significance, as our bodies are God's temple.  And since I WILL be going through withdrawl, and will want those carbs (and those easy meals!) and those sugars (farewell, peanut M&M's for breakfast) very much, I will be CONSTANTLY reminded of all manner of spiritual things, like the bounty of foods that surround me here in my home, in my groccery store, in our nation--an overflow of blessing.  Like how I am dependent upon whatever I tell myself I need--so, what do I really need?  (And what am I unconsciously elevating in status above God?)  Like how I desire to be at peace no matter what, and want to be able to say, with the Apostle Paul, "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" (Phillipians 4:12). 

In the past, I have given up way more things, but this year I know this will be about all I can handle (and the real things I sense are altar-worthy).  But if there is more (i.e. if I get nudges in my spirit that I am just transferring my food compulsions to a different outlet), I will let it go too, willingly.  Gladly.  I am ready for my seasonal renewal! 

Anyone else celebrating Lent this year?  Let me know what you are doing in the comments!



*Those of you new to my blog, I did not grow up practicing Lent, but LOVE it--not just for the awesome right-with-God things that come out of it, but for everything it does for me. I give up good and major stuff, and so when Lent comes around, it is a game changer. In such a good way. If you want to know about why I started doing it, or what I have done in the past few years, please feel free to visit the "Labels" list on the lower right-hand sidebar, and click on "Lent."