Observing Lent

I’m not someone who enjoys fasting. Whenever a pastor says that it’s a discipline all Christians should observe at least once, I’m the one who makes that inappropriate snorting noise. The idea of giving anything up, most importantly food, isn’t something I enjoy thinking about. I don’t like to give anything up—I hang onto my best friends for a lifetime, regard the remote to my TV as my very special possession (and you better like what I choose!), and have considered writing a book based on my grandfather’s life just so the memory isn’t forgotten.

So as the season of Lent neared, I felt this desire (which I’ve never really felt all that much before) to give something up. Yeah, it’s a Catholic thing and I’m not, but as I committed to study the Gospels and what Jesus actually did on earth for me in these 40 days before Easter, I knew that I had to fast from something that was very important to me or that I enjoyed a lot just so I could know what it felt like to know Him in His sufferings, no matter how insignificant.

Today marks the first day of that 40 day fast. When I considered my eating habits and things I like the most, I decided to fast from three things: carbonated drinks, snacks, and ice cream/dessert. If you know me at all, you know I love my ice cream, soda, and snacks. I hope that through this time of purposeful fasting and contemplation on what Christ did for me, I’ll grow deeper in my walk. So ya’ll, keep me accountable!

Oh, and we’ll break the fast on Easter Sunday at my house. There will certainly be soda and desserts galore!