Today is Valentine’s Day. It is also the first day of Lent. You could say they are both about love, but that is not what this article is about.
Lent is the 40 days before Easter in which many Christians remember the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It is a time of reflection, of giving up things.
During this time of reflection, some give up, or fast from, their favorite food (chocolate) or beverage (coffee). Some people fast one meal a day and take that time to pray. Others may give up Social Media and those people may never read this. Have you thought about what you are going to fast from?
Growing up, I don’t remember being taught about Lent. It wasn’t until about 25-30 years ago when I started to pay attention to it.
Yesterday I received an email Newsletter. The author of the newsletter gave different ideas and printables for suggestions for Lent. One suggestion was “40 Days of Decluttering” (www.yourmodernshop.com). What a great idea!
Every day, starting today, my plan is to find an item, or items in my home that I no longer need and either toss it or donate it. Some items will be easy to let go of, other items, not so much. I may not find something everyday, or remember to do it every day, but I will try.
The other day I was thinking about a certain cupboard and wondering what was in there. It has been quite a while since I have opened that cupboard. It is a cupboard above our upright freezer, so it isn’t very accessible for me. Obviously I don’t need what’s in that cupboard as I haven’t used any of whatever is in there for months, maybe years. No one else in my home ever uses that cupboard either. Time to let it all go.
Why do I hold on to things? Why do I have such a hard time letting go of things, even things that I haven’t used in years? Fear that I might need it someday? Or someone else might need it someday and will they be upset with me if I get rid of it?
During this time of Lent and reflection, I also plan to spend more time with God. Seeking Him to show me what I need to let go of, physically, emotionally and mentally.
Have you thought about Lent? What does it look like for you? Perhaps it doesn’t mean anything to you. Will it now?
For those of you who do participate in Lent, what are you giving up, or fasting from, during these 40 days? Could it be decluttering one item a day for 40 days or a total of 40 items in 40 days? Will you seek the Lord while you are giving something up? Every time you are tempted to have chocolate, will you pray instead of think about chocolate?
Reflecting on the life of Jesus, His love for us and letting go of things in life to make more time and room for Him, is a beautiful thing.
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning…return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil.” (Joel 2:12-13 NASB1995)