Second day of Lent

What am I giving up for Lent? People give up chocolate or diet cokes or dessert or some such kind of food. I’ve never done anything like that. But this year I think I’ll give up beets. That’s it! I’m going to give up beets. That is silly of me to say but it does speak to the temptation to give up something that really isn’t that hard to give up and thus trick myself into thinking that I’m REALLY giving up something. I do like beets but to give them up would simply mean I would refrain from eating them at Wednesday Night Supper when they show up on the salad bar. So my ‘sacrifice’ is rather cheap.

That is why people give up things for Lent. It is to honor the sacrifice of Christ on their behalf and a personal sacrifice draws their memory to Christ’s sacrifice over and over again throughout Lent. I understand and perhaps I should try it, but I think I’m going to be intentional in another way. I want to add to instead of take away. Jesus has added so much to my life. I’m going to try and add something to my witness for these remaining days of Lent.

Now I must decide what that addition needs to be. I think I will write a note to 40 different people who have significantly added to my life. I am going to send a gratitude note on each day (which means two for today to catch up) to a person who across my 54 years has added something special to my life. I am going to do this every day. The challenge will be the days that don’t fall into regular routine. I don’t want to fall behind for that will mean days that I didn’t remember how God has added to my life through an individual.

Lord, help me to remember (every day) just how much you have added to my life. I thank you for your addition of abundant living to my life. I thank you now for the journey of remembering those who have been your blessing to me along the way.