Thursday, February 18, 2010

My Lent Journey



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:

Anonymous said...

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

Together We Save said...

I know I need to control my tounge better. Maybe I should copy you and give up gossiping so much.

betty said...

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

Maude Lynn said...

I'm giving up nagging. Wish me luck!

quilly said...

If I had to give up exaggeration, I just might explode -- no exaggeration!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

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!

Nessa said...

Oh my. Thank goodness it's only 30 days. You know writers are inherent liars right?

Detour