My Lenten Journey

Ash Wednesday is tomorrow…such an inspiring day.  I will walk down the aisle of my church, receive the mark of the cross upon my forehead and know that I am forgiven.  What a special moment!  Ash Wednesday service is one of my favorites.  It is a smaller and more intimate group than Sundays, and its symbolic nature is something I hold close to my heart.  There is just something extraordinary about this day and the weeks to follow.

However, tomorrow also starts my Lenten journey.  In previous years, I’ve given up a range of things from Diet Coke to meat or added and incorporated practices into my life.  This year I’ve struggled deciding what excessive part of my life I am going to give up.  Then, I stumbled across this post.

40 bags in 40 days

I began collecting tonight.  I have 2 bags prepared, and I wonder where the remainder 38 will come from.  However, I know without a doubt I can find 38 more.  It is time for me to put away some of my materialistic ways and at the same time help others who don’t have their basic needs met on a daily basis.

I’ve decided as well, that I am going to cook or “eat in” during lent.  This may seem meaningless to you, but I think it will be a fantastic opportunity to be still and truly moved by the opportunity to grow. 

I hope you’ll hold me accountable, ask how it is going and encourage me along the way.  I’d love to know if any of you have decided to alter your current lifestyle over the next forty days (excluding the Sabbath).