What is meant for Lent?

While growing up, my church and family didn't celebrate Lent. We had grand celebrations around Easter and I definitely felt my parents worked hard to make Easter and all it's meaning a big deal.

However, it wasn't until college or to be more specific until my internship after college that I discovered the practice of Lent. I was working as an intern in a Presbyterian Church. The staff that I was working with all celebrated Lent, and talked about it during staff meetings and during church. It really left an impression on me. This practice was something I have taken with me along the way.


Each year I learn a bit more about the practice and dive into it in varying degrees. This year I wanted to make an effort to pay attention and participate.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go to an Ash Wednesday service. I also wasn't able to do a food fast on that day. However, I was able to start my daily Lenten readings. It also marked the start date for my 40 day fast.

Through my Lenten reading I learned that there are three pillars to Lent: 1. Prayer 2. Almsgiving and 3. Fasting. Knowing this has helped give form to Lent for me. Knowing these pillars provided focus and purpose. Now I can go back to these pillars that hold up Lent and rotate through them. Each pillar points to God and gives me a purpose or practice to seek him out.

I think most people think of fasting when they think of Lent. Many people turn Lent into a diet, a way to cut out unhealthy food for a while. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE dark chocolate. Breaking the habit would remind me to pray. But, for me I wanted a bit more.

Fasting is a practice of replacement. To take something out of your life to make more room for God. To change something in your day or life that leaves you a bit lost and at a loss to know what to do with yourself. It opens up time to pray and become more in tune with your Savior.

Since I am new to this practice and still learning as I go, I am excited to see how God gives me a fuller understanding and a greater depth of His will for me in how and why to do this exercise. At any rate, right now, it has given me the opportunity to draw closer to God and reconnect.

What are my Lenten goals this year?
I gave up Facebook. I also want to participate in 40 Days of Water with Blood Water Mission However, due to health reasons right now I can't give up smoothies, tea and home made juice. So I am going to give up coffee. This is really the only thing that I buy when I am out. What I like about the 40 days of water is that it combines all three pillars of Lent. Check it out. It is an amazing cause!

I am also adding a few things. I am doing daily readings and really enjoying them. I am reading: 'Lord Open My Heart- Daily Scriptural Reflections for Lent" By Julie Davis
and
'Reconciled to God- Daily Lenten Devotions' By Amy Welborn and Paul Pennick
I am also trying to spend my time in prayer, including spending more time and closer attention to the email prayer chain from our church.

None of these things are big deals. But, I feel that God is using this and challenging me. It is good to be in a time of focus and expectation. I know that God is at work in me!