When I was a kid I knew other kids that 'gave up' something for Lent, but we never did because our denomination just didn't practice that. We didn't "do" Ash Wednesday either. I never understood the smudges on other kids' foreheads but I was envious that they got to come to school late!
I knew about Palm Sunday and Good Friday (really bad Friday), and that Easter celebrated the Resurrection of God's son, but the Lenten period was a mystery. But this year I've been wondering whether God is calling me to a period of reflection and meditation during Lent.
Yesterday (first day of Lent) I was reminded of a book a friend gave me recently. I had left it in my backpack because I really didn't want to deal with it. It stayed in there throughout the snowstorms and recovery period. I told myself I wasn't going to look at it until I had paid her for it. (She didn't insist on that, but she'd gotten them for our entire study group so I wanted to do my part) On Tuesday I paid her. No more excuses.
As I said, I'd been wondering whether this should be the year I should try to 'observe' Lent by giving something up. I wanted it to be sacrificial and I wasn't quite sure what would FEEL most sacrificial to me. BUT GOD has a funny sense of humor and I very clearly felt him place this book on my mind. It's a 30-day book, so it fits. Each day, one passage, one prayer. Sounds doable right? Did I tell you the title?
30 Days to Taming Your Tongue.
Yeah. Ouch.
So I started yesterday with Day 1 - the Lying Tongue. So notice is served here and now, if I ain't tellin' the truth, I ain't sayin' nothin' at all . . . for the next 30 days I'm going to try very hard to make this happen. Out and out lying isn't my problem -- it's exaggeration that gets me because I LOVE to get a laugh. So...stay tuned on that one and if you pray, please keep me in your prayers!
Day 2 today -- the Flattering Tongue. I tend not to do this one because I live in Washington DC where flattering words are usually clear attempts to manipulate people. But still, I'm grateful that I read this piece this morning. I know it's going to get more difficult.
**and by the way, I consider my typing-fingers an extension of my tongue, so . . . that's the part where for me, it is sacrificial. You'll understand as the journey goes on and you see the other passages.
7 comments:
I meant to say in your 3WT That I love your header photo. This is just funny if you ask me. I wish you luck with your tongue. Maybe I should do that. But I'd flunk the first hour I'm sure LOL
I know I need to control my tounge better. Maybe I should copy you and give up gossiping so much.
interesting book; I do believe we could all tame the tongue in some way or another. I struggled with some of these issues, lying, embellishing, gossiping, etc. Its a work in progress but my tongue is a lot more gentler than previous years
enjoy your journey :)
betty
I'm giving up nagging. Wish me luck!
If I had to give up exaggeration, I just might explode -- no exaggeration!
Wow--pretty inspiring, and I admit, a little intimidating. I loved your pic at the beginning of the post, too, because I wondered what it would be about, and then I was pleasantly surprised.
I really appreciate your vulnerability in point 1. I exaggerate for a laugh, too, as I'm sure you've picked up on once or twice! Although I don't really feel guilty about that, per se, (it is a tool of humor writing, after all) you did make me want to slow down and think before I do it, to use good judgment, and not do it in every day conversation. Because that is lying! :) Anyway, thanks for the inspiration and thought-provoking post. I wish you the best and want to know how this goes. You should journal!
Oh my. Thank goodness it's only 30 days. You know writers are inherent liars right?
Detour
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