Let me preface this by saying that my personal views on what Lent is all about may not strictly agree with what many mainstream religious organizations teach. This is not about saying my way is better than your way. I am simply stating my opinion. For me, my belief system is a very personal thing.
Every year, when I ask this question, many of my friends say, “I don’t do Lent.” And my answer is usually a question: “Why not?”
I have celebrated and actively participated in the season of Lent for years. I view it as a time to become a little more introspective. I try to choose something I want to change about myself, and I use this time to achieve that change.
Some people view it simply as a ‘giving up’ of something for a short while, then easily falling back into old habits as soon as the appointed time is over. No real change ever occurs. I see it differently. I think Lent is the perfect time to try to make a permanent change in one’s life. And it doesn’t have to be a huge change to make a difference.
One year, though it sounded factious to others’ ears, I chose to work on my sarcastic, snarky mouth. It’s one thing to be snide when with a group of friends, but on the written page, it does not always translate well. So, I chose to try to curb my sarcastic nature, at least when writing. It was amazing how some conscientious work on my part made such a difference and kept me out of a considerable amount of hot water!
There are other times when I have made the decision to give something up. Like working on changing a bad habit. (In particular, when I was drinking too much soda.) Or choosing to give up a certain overly-used word. (One of those that you might not want your pastor to hear come out of your sweet little mouth!) The changes don’t have to be earth-shattering as long as they are significant to you and make an actual difference in your behavior or way of thinking.
But there are other times when I have chosen to actually do something. Some examples are: make a conscious effort to smile at people every day (this is not as easy as it may initially sound!); donate to a food bank; work in a resale shop; pay for a stranger’s meal; read for storytime at the local library. It is amazing how quickly these small things become good habits when you actually participate in them.
So don’t just talk about what you will ‘give up’ or what you will ‘do’ for Lent. Make a plan. Write it down. Make a commitment and tell people what you are doing. It’s always nice to have cheerleaders, especially if your ‘commitment’ is going to be a more difficult one. In the end, you will be amazed at the difference! And, if by the end of the Lenten season, you have not fully succeeded, keep going. Make it an ongoing effort.
Here are a few more examples: practice patience; be more thankful; when you can, be silent instead of getting into an argument; try to reconcile with someone who is estranged from you. Things like this can only make the world a better place.
How you celebrate Lent is about personal choices and it is up to you to make those choices. What might seem like a frivolous goal to one person might be a difficult challenge for another. Never judge. Just support them.
For me, Lent is a time of reflection and contemplation, for looking at myself and zeroing in on something I want to change for the better. I hope you will join me this year. And I hope you’ll share your stories. I’d love to hear them.
