Observing Lent

Growing up, I didn't know anything about Lent. Whether ignorance or just the lack of knowledge of understanding, I don't even remember ever hearing the word unless it was in relation to me needing to clean out something in the clothes dryer. So, when Lent comes around every year, it always seems to sneak up on me.

Over the course of the years I HAVE observed Lent, it has always been something significantly impactful in my own personal life, regardless of how simple it would seem in the lives of others. Consider my personality into this equation...I am an extremely passionate person. Some would go so far as to call me a grass fire. I get involved and excited about something and I go full steam ahead with it. I like what I like, I love what I love, and there ain't nothin' nobody's gonna do to stop me from getting to it!

I remember particularly one year being more difficult than others and that was simply with giving up the Ellen Degeneres show that came on at 2 in the afternoon. I know that sounds weird and a tad bit weird (okay, a lot weird), but truth be told, my entire life was centered around being able to watch Ellen. I did everything during the morning hours so I would be able to get on the treadmill at 2 and laugh at her silly antics for the next hour with feeling little physical pain from my workout.

Here enters the irony of my obsessions. Once I give something up, I'm pretty much done. Since I gave up the Ellen Show that year, I have not watched a single episode. I think once I realize how all-consuming it is in my life, I realize how "okay" I am without it and how much my life and mentality has benefited from the sacrifice.

This year for Lent, the things I am giving up (a few different ones) are going to be an extreme challenge for me, possibly one of the most difficult yet, especially in light of the fact of my past experience of eliminating it completely from my life even when Lent is over. I am looking forward to the challenge and believe God is going to show me some incredible things in the meantime and I will benefit in incredible ways if I can stick with it!

VAMANOS!, LENT VOWS!!!!! Let's tear this new life up!