Lent. Are you giving something up? If so, what?

[A.J. at J.A.]

I'm just curious. I was raised Southern Baptist and we didn't celebrate Lent, so this is a fairly new concept for me since marrying a Catholic 15 years ago and now attending a Presbyterian church. :D

I've already been off sweet treats for 21 days (WOOHOO!) and am considering strictly limiting my computer time for lent to allow me to focus more on my home and personal study.

What are ya'll giving up?
Angela

[Canada_Mom]

OOOOOhhhh. Limiting computer time... now that WOULD be real penance! :D

Wow! Good for you! You're a far braver soul than I. :p

Although, come to think of how this day has gone... I should consider giving that up with you, shouldn't I? :eek:

[Melinda in VT]

So far, I haven't given anything up (although I think about it every year) but I do try to add some spiritual study group or practice for Lent. This year, I'm planning to read all four gospels during Lent and also Marcus Borg and Dominic Crossan's book on Holy Week.

[mommylaw]

This year we are adding a daily family Rosary and 1 midweek Mass. I might give up hot showers again, but now that I'm up so early I don't know if I can stick to cold ones. :confused:

[Plaid Dad]

I'm trying desperately to put a big writing project to bed tonight so that I can more effectively limit my computer time during Lent. I still haven't decided whether I will take a break from these boards or not - now that would be a sacrifice!

I also like to take on something for Lent in addition to giving something up. I will try to attend at least one weekday Mass each week in addition to Sundays, preferably on Fridays when my parish does the Stations of the Cross. I also just got back from a week-long retreat at a Benedictine monastery, so I'm inspired to commit to a daily practice of lectio divina.

[Old Dominion Heather]

I'm going off line except for email. nt

[LMA]

I am going to limit online time except when necessary (map directions, work-related stuff). No browsing just to be browsing so I won't be here at the boards. We will give up sweets until Easter except on certain feast days. We will be taking on an alms project. This year I will buy toiletries on sale to give to the local homeless shelter around Easter. My kids will also being saving their coins to give to church.

Plaid Dad, where did you take your retreat? Do they have women's retreats also? Was it directed or self-directed?

[amy g.]

I give up yelling at my kids every year. This year, I'm going to try to not be sarcastic to them either. It is really going to be a challenge. I am going to try to tell them something I appreciate about them when I'm irritated instead.

I'll keep you posted on how I'm doing.

[Andie]

I'm going off line except for email. nt

Me, too. As a family, we're adding a weekday Mass and giving up eating out. We'll be giving that money to a charity instead.

[chai]

I've never given up anything for Lent, but this year, I'm giving up on-line Boggle. It's been 5 days and it's already killing me! :o

[Janet in Toronto]

Our whole family is giving up dessert, and I am adding Morning Prayer (from the Daily Office/Liturgy of the Hours).

Janet

[Elizabeth TN]

My friend always gives something up for Lent, so I am doing it with her this year. I am giving up carbonated beverages. I am also thinking about giving up eating out, but both of these things are HUGE for me and I don't want to set myself up for failure. I am also doing a Bible study.

[Chris in VA]

Hi PD
I love lectio, as I commented a long time ago on your blog. I'll be thinking of you this Lent as I incorporate more readings into my life.

[Chris in VA]

I am trying to resist making my Lenten discipline just a "holy New Year's resolution." I realized that was sort of my mind set for years. So I am both letting go of something and taking on something. I'm kinda seeing it as choosing something for my mind, body and soul.
For my body, I'm not going to eat after 7 pm. I need to lose weight, but it is more for the discipline of letting God be enough, and not eating when I am anxious or just out of habit.
For my mind, I'm not sure--maybe picking up a Bible study.
For my soul, I am going to be faithful to read my One Year Bible everyday in Lent.
I look at Lent as a time to start doing the things I want to continue to do, and to use the sacrifices (the "give ups") to look at my addictions, however culturally mild, and see how God can provide in those areas where I've substituted my desires for his way of doing things.
Have a Holy Lent, everyone.

[LG Gone Wild]

I am a screamer and I hate it. It's like being a smoker that has quit loads of times.

Ugh.

[Tracey in TX]

I will give up sweets, between meal snacks, and be kinder to my chidren.

[BMC]

<><

[Colleen]

;)

[Patty Joanna]

Dear Angela,

This year, I am giving up what everyone in our church gives up....meat, dairy, eggs, fish, wine, oil, but we get wine and oil back on Saturday and Sundays. And shellfish aren't "fish". The difference for me this year is that I'm not just deciding on my own, but as part of the Church, and I'm not walking it on my own--we are all in the boat together. It's pretty cool to me. Of course, for me, it's a lot easier in that I can't eat eggs or dairy anyway...but neither can I eat nuts, so getting protein is a bit of a chore.

Too much info...I know. In years past, I have given up wine (alcohol) and the Boards.

Have a wonderful Lent; don't let the home and personal study get in the way of prayer, which is the intent of fasting--to allow more time for prayer and almsgiving/acts of kindness. Otherwise, it's just a diet.

Kind regards,

[mellifera]

we, as a family, are reading through the gospels together in the evenings.

[Jenn in Mo]

I don't wanna, but I'm pulling waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyy back on the computer. I've already dropped one messageboard and I haven't been on here much lately at all and will probably stay away until Easter.

In the meantime, dh is trying to establish his own computer business and will likely be biting the bullet and just jumping in. S.C.A.R.Y. :eek: And I will be getting house/life/budget all cleaned up and simplified. I need to stay focused: on God, my home, and my family.

But I'll miss my WTMbuddies!

[A.J. at J.A.]

I am a screamer and I hate it. It's like being a smoker that has quit loads of times.

Ugh.

My first instinct is always to yell, the book Homeschooling with a Meek & Quiet Spirit (http://www.titus2.com/ecommerce/products/prod_listing.php/1120) was recommended to me by other members of the hive and it has made such a difference in how I act/react. I'm not perfect by any means, but it has certainly given me the tools to head in the right direction.

:0)
Angela

[Liz CA]

I'm just curious. I was raised Southern Baptist and we didn't celebrate Lent, so this is a fairly new concept for me since marrying a Catholic 15 years ago and now attending a Presbyterian church. :D

I've already been off sweet treats for 21 days (WOOHOO!) and am considering strictly limiting my computer time for lent to allow me to focus more on my home and personal study.

What are ya'll giving up?
Angela

Did you have to bring it up? LOL. Would trying to get to bed earlier and get up earlier qualify? Or should I give up the ice cream that I enjoy even in the dead of winter?
Ack! Life is hard enough without Lent but...I know...I will give it some thought. Can you refresh me on the principle behind it? I grew up haphazardly in a Catholic church but have long since switched to non-denominational and cannot remember all the "rules".

[Hoggirl]

This year I have decided that, rather than giving something up for Lent, I will DO something every day during Lent. For me, this is going to be praying for my fil, and, believe me, I will struggle to get on my knees every day for this man!
Cynthia

[A.J. at J.A.]

Can you refresh me on the principle behind it? I grew up haphazardly in a Catholic church but have long since switched to non-denominational and cannot remember all the "rules".

I am the last person to ask about explaining it, but DH (who grew up with celebrating Lent) explained to me that it is to help us remember the sacrifice that Christ went through on our behalf. The idea is to "sacrifice" something we desire, but to instill something good in place of it. ie, if I were to choose to give up computer time for lent, then every time I wanted to use the computer, I should replace that time with something beneficial to my spiritual growth - read the bible, pray, etc.

Hope that helps,
Angela

[Janet in WA]

I'm giving up giving up things for Lent. Similarly, my New Year's resolution was to not make New Year's resolutions.

[Liz CA]

I am the last person to ask about explaining it, but DH (who grew up with celebrating Lent) explained to me that it is to help us remember the sacrifice that Christ went through on our behalf. The idea is to "sacrifice" something we desire, but to instill something good in place of it. ie, if I were to choose to give up computer time for lent, then every time I wanted to use the computer, I should replace that time with something beneficial to my spiritual growth - read the bible, pray, etc.

Hope that helps,
Angela

nt

[amyable]

I've been off of many different foods for about two months now for my sensitive/food allergic nursing babe - dairy, soy, egg, nut, sunflower, citrus, tomato, CHOCOLATE:eek: , etc...with some rare cheats like when I went out to a rare dinner with dh! So I'll continue to give up those foods, try not to cheat, and do it with a "happy heart" instead of my usual "Woe is me I'm starving" attitude. :rolleyes:

[sdWTMer]

We don't observe Lent. I go to a non-institutional church of Christ.