Lent

Today is Fat Tuesday. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lent Season. I have never attended a church that celebrated Lent. It wasn't until I was in college that I even heard of Ash Wednesday. At some point in my young life, however, I said, "I wonder why we put so much emphasis on preparing for the birth of Christ, but only celebrate His death/resurrection for one day. We should have an Easter Advent." It was a few years later that I learned of Lent.

I've had mixed feelings about Lent. I met a lot of people along the way who "gave stuff up" for Lent, but I don't think fully understood the concept of why. One year I opted to give up my favorite TV show. I prefer, however, the term "fasted from." That was an interesting 6 weeks. I learned a lot in the time that I would normally watch that show. I tried to not substitute something else for it; instead used that time for something more edifying. It didn't take long for me to start watching the TV show again after Easter.

This year I am attending a church that celebrates Lent. Due to scheduling conflicts, we will be unable to attend the Ash Wednesday service. I'm disappointed, but there is always next year. However I've decided that I'm going to fast this year for Lent. I'm fasting from something that has inadvertantly caused great drama and frustration in my relationships. I'm fasting from something that has been good for me, but I've abused lately. I hope to learn from this experience.

I've opted to fast from my online message boards/forums/communities. This is going to be hard for me, especially since I've forged many awesome relationships on these communities. And I'm bonding with other pregnant women on one board. But this is something I think God has been speaking to me about and an experience from which I can learn a lot.