As a Baptist-ish girl, I didn’t grow up observing Lent. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even know Lent was a thing. I didn’t know Advent was a thing either except for the bubblegum Advent calendar we hung up every Christmas. Each day we took off a new piece of gum and chewed it to count down to Christmas. So “Advent” is a loose description of our count-down-to-Christmas bubble gum decoration.
However, in my 20’s I went to a Methodist church for a while. This is where I started learning about the liturgical calendar and when Advent and Lent became a thing in my life. There’s more to the liturgical calendar than Advent and Lent, and there’s a lot about it I still don’t know, but I’m learning. (By the way, this podcast series by The Simple Show has been wonderful lately.)
Now my family and I go to a large non-denominational church, and the liturgical calendar is not recognized hardly at all. However, in our home, I observe Advent and Lent and teach these church traditions to my girls.
You might be most familiar with Lent as a time you give something up that you love like chocolate or Coke or T.V. Some years I’ve given something up, but it’s not something I do every year. However, this year I felt led to give up, or fast, two things in my life – two things I truly love right now – Instagram and sugar. Put me on the sofa with a brownie in one hand and my phone scrolling Instagram in the other and I might as well be at the beach sunbathing all by myself. It’s an escape, and I love it!
Well, obviously I love it a little too much. You know, when you feel led to give something up for Lent and the thought makes you almost cry and dread it with everything in you, you’re probably on to something. So tomorrow here goes nothing – no more Instagram or sugar. Geez. I tell you this so that I’ll have to do it.
All joking aside, my hope is that during these 40 days these distractions (or should I be so bold to say idols) dissipate so that I’m able to pray with assured hope and hear God’s voice clearly. In my life right now there are a lot of needs. I have personal needs, my extended family has needs, my friends have needs, and our country and the world have needs. More than ever I’ve felt the call to pray fervently.
I’ve used different Lenten devotionals in the past, but this year I bought this one from Erin Moon. What I love about it from first glance is that it has an audio version (I’m in the car A LOT running these little girls around town, so this way I can listen and they can hear too) and it has a playlist which is so good!
If you’re familiar with YouVersion or Bible.com, there are several Lenten reading plans there too.
And here are two that I have used in the past: Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross by Nancy Guthrie and Lent and Easter Wisdom from St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi.
So here’s to the start of Lent! I’d love to hear your thoughts on Lent, any resources you use, and what you’re fasting.
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