Just wanted to give a quick thank you to all of you were wished Little Sissy a happy birthday. I talked to her on the phone Thursday night and told her all about how all my blog friends thought she was cute as pie and wished her a happy birthday. She was very excited about it all and wanted me to tell you all thank you for her!
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Alright moving on to what I really wanted to talk about today. I’m not sure how many of you actually participate or even know, but Ash Wednesday (the start of Lent) is this coming Wednesday. Now, I am not Catholic, but I am a Christian and I do love the idea of sacrificing something in my life for Christ, even if only for 40 days. Actually, the church group I am in on Thursday nights brought it up this last week, and we decided to all do it together, and support each other along the way.
I remember trying Lent a few times in high school. Basically I looked at it as giving something up. I didn’t see it as an opportunity to get close to Christ. It was all about testing my will power and my strength.
And in high school, my will power was all about one thing: food. So numerous times I gave up candy, chocolate, fast food, ect. And did I ever make it those 40 days? No, I didn’t. One because I was selfish and not seeking Christ, and two because I was already depriving myself of so much, that all it ended up doing was leading to a binge.
But now we are in the present day. Now when I think about Lent, I think about sacrificing something for 40 days and using that sacrifice to grow closer to God. Giving up food never even crossed my mind.
But it does for everyone else. As we sat there Thursday discussing what we could give up, all the ideas were passed around the room. Fast food, cookies, sugar, coffee…
At first it didn’t bother me. I just saw it as a way for my group to get away from their nasty eating habits. But then it hit me, why are we so focused on food? Why is it that whenever something comes up about change or about being better, it automatically means giving up food?
New Years resolutions? Lose weight, eat better. Lent? No sugar, nothing processed. Be a better person? Get healthy.
Why do all these monumental life changes or sacrifices, have to be focused on food? Isn’t there something else we can do to make ourselves better? How about showing more love. Or being more forgiving. Or letting go of anger and bitterness. Why do those things never cross people’s minds?
Because we live in a world so focused on ourselves. Even with something like Lent, where the point is to SACRIFICE something like God sacrificed his son. Where the stakes are supposed to be high. Where it’s supposed to be important, and unselfish.
The focus remains on ourselves. The focus remains on what we can do for us.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not trying to say you are a selfish, self absorbed jerk if you chose to give up sugar for Lent. I’m simply trying to point out the fact that our world revolves around food. The fact that you are willing to even try to give up something for God is great, and I will support you as much as I can.
But for me, I’m not giving up food anymore. EVER again actually. Yes, maybe I will cut back on sugar every once in a while when I notice that my skin is flipping out (which happens). Yes, maybe I will cut out a few carbs when it gets closer to Bestie’s wedding in order to feel more confident in my bridesmaid dress.
But no, I will NEVER completely give up any kind of food. Not even for 40 days.
So, for Lent this year, I have decided to give up my usually morning routine. Typically I’m at by 6AM, sipping coffee and checking out the blog world or instagram. Instead, I’ve decided to devote that time to Bible reading, journaling, or just sitting quietly with my thoughts. Because my goal for Lent is to really grow closer to God, not learn how to live without something. That’s not what God intended for us. He wants us to have a full life. Full of love, hope, and grace.
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Are you giving up something for Lent?
Do you notice how our world revolves around food?
A very Healthy mindset as you approach lent! Food is fuel! I like the way you think! Keep up the good work and spreading this healthy mind message!!
You are right. Growing up, lent was almost always about giving up some sort of food item. However, when I was a teenager, I used Lent to clean up my vocabulary. lol. Not that I ever had a really bad mouth, but I would swear a bit, and realized I was doing it just “to be cool”. So, I gave it up. Looking back, that was a pretty decent idea for a teenager.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU this is something that has irked me since high school. I hated this time of year girls would use lent as a diet excuse. it made me sick and just oh so frustrated. that is why my mom always made us DO something for lent, or give up something not food related. I still practice that because that I believe gets you closer to your faith. not wanting to shed a few pounds
This is really a good idea! In the past I’ve tried to DO something for Lent too. Not sure what I’m doing this year, but I need to figure it out!
Ahhh amen Kat! I seriously get saddened when people deceive themselves into thinking that they’re doing something like that for God but they don’t really know the depth of the meaning of it all, when it’s really about our hearts of devotion to Him. I think fasting things (even food) is a great thing to do, but so is fasting media and all that stuff. It’s also great that you’re adding things like getting into a routine of more personal quiet time with Him Kat
This post brings me back to this verse: “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God arec a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” -Psalm 51:16-17 Powerful stuff, thank you for sharing! 
You already know I think this is a great idea
I’ve been guilty of giving up things for Lent in the past that I knew would help me keep my weight in check, but I’m happy to say that it’s been a while since I’ve given up anything related to food. I’m still not quite sure what I’ll be doing this year, but I always like to focus on things that I can DO instead of things to give up. So like: taking extra time everyday to pray or read the Bible and focusing on what I can do for others… stuff like that.
This post was just amazing! I love what you are giving up & working to gain throughout these next 40 days. <3
This is just great Kat, and although I don’t do the Lent business (I’m not even sure I have a religion haha- figuring that out as my life progresses), my friends have been talking about it each year it comes up. I totally understand the idea of it, and particular foods or food groups/ types- sugars, processed stuff for example- are something that are near and dear to people (obviously I get that one), but it just goes right along with deprivation. Cutting out something related to food is fine for some, though I feel anyone with any sort of eating issue should not make a commitment not eat something they actually do want. I am working on finding balance with everything- including food, and if I were to do something like this and not allow myself something, it would lead me spiraling.
Sorry about the ramble here, I just really appreciate your thoughts on this! Best of luck with what you choose
I love your perspective on this. I don’t ever want to “give up” any kind of food either! We should all be able to have those “bad” foods in moderation. Although I can totally understand the mindset that, if you’re really trying to lose weight, it might be easier to give something up all the way (like chips or soda) than to try to limit yourself. I feel like it’s okay in that situation, but I don’t want to be one of those people who goes gluten-free or tries paleo, because taking important food groups out of the equation is NOT the answer.