Don’t Give Up Something For Lent
When I was little, my family didn’t formally celebrate Lent.
My cousins did.
So did many of the neighborhood kids; especially the big, Catholic families with lots of siblings running around. (We could throw together a kickball game in no time as long as we could get one of those families to come!)
Lent always intrigued me. The ashes on the forehead, the ordering a fish sandwich on Fridays instead of a burger up at the local McDonalds.
I remember wanting to not only know what it was all about, but to be invited to the celebration too.
Later, in high school, I began to attend a church that did celebrate Lent (but allowed us to choose what we would give up). Ta-da! I now not only learned about the observance on the Christian calendar, but felt included in the party.
Over the years, I’ve given up sweets, a particular TV show, soda-pop and other assorted indulgences.
In recent years, however, I have stopped giving up something for Lent. Perhaps you will want to too.
Now, I take on something for Lent. Like serving in a soup kitchen once a week. Taking a hurting soul out for coffee every Saturday or acquiring a new habit like walking or reading the Bible before hopping on the computer.
This year, I have decided to take on writing a note of encouragement or thanks to someone each day of Lent.
Yep. That’s 40 notes in 40 days.
In a way, I am still giving up something—my time; time when I could be doing something for myself but will instead will be doing something for another human. And my money. Between note cards & postage, about 25 bucks. (So long extra latte cash!)
Care to join me?
I found some clearance notecards at Target yesterday. So, I bought four additional packs so four of you could join me in the note-jotting adventure. One pack should get you started on your way to gratefulness and cheer.
If you are a traditional Lent-observer, may God meet you as you sacrifice an indulgence over the next six weeks.
If you have never joined the celebration, how about this year you do?
But don’t give up something for Lent.
Take something on.
*Tell us about you & Lent. Do you observe it? Give something up? Want to join me in taking something on? The four comments selected at random will be announced Thursday.
I love this post! Thank you! I had decided to add something as well this year…….trying to commit to walking at least 2 miles a day. But your post made me think about adding something to someone else……..so I think I will add writing a note for 40 days as well…….thanks for the suggestion!!!
I’ve never participated in Lent. I love the idea of taking something on, rather than giving something up. I enjoy sending cards of encouragement. I think it’s time to be more intentional about taking the time to do that.
I really like the idea of adding a positive versus subtracting a negative.!
I didn’t grow up with Lent being celebrated but for the last 3 years I have been giving something up. I love your idea of adding something in instead! Thank you!
Karen,
I love this idea, probably because I love getting cards in the mail. Just knowing someone took time to purchase the card and write me. That is a beautiful gift…your words! I am gonna “borrow” this idea!
I have never observed lent but would love to .I love your Idea.
Ohhhhh Karen!! It was so random but planned by God that I clicked on your link from my Proverbs 31 Facebook update! I sell Thirty One Gifts for my home business and simply thought reading the updates for Proverbs 31 Ministries would be a cool tool to use as inspiration at my parties! Last year, I was diagnosed with a rare disorder while pregnant with my 3rd child. I was told I would not survive the pregnancy. However, my daughter was not really affected with the problem and was developing fine. We continued the pregnancy and we both made it!! The months to follow and for nearly a year, I was in recovery and in and out of the hospital. The ENCOURAGEMENT from my family, friends and church was something I knew I would never be able to pay back! I have already been doing your Lent project but, not as consistently as I would like. Your challenge is EXACTLY what I’ve been praying for and I am going to join you, no matter what!! Thank you for this message and the opportunity to encourage someone, anyone… EVERYONE!! Yay! God Bless You!
I love the idea of adding something to my day instead of giving something up as well. I have done so before, and this year have decided to spend 15 minutes reading the Bible each day too. I really like your idea of writing a letter to someone everyday too!
I have never actually given up something for lent, but I do really like your idea of picking up a new thing for lent. I have a few things that have been weighing on my heart to have more self-control over and I have been thinking about giving up my cup of coffee over the month of March. I think finding something to do for others would be another great step in the right direction. Thank you so much for your ideas!
LOVE IT!!!
I never really understood lent. To me it always appeared to be (and sometimes still seems to be), something people have done for show.
I love your idea of starting something new, as I have heard it takes 40 days for something to become habit. I have already asked my accountability girls to keep me on track for sending one note a week (which I have been a failure at…..). This is a fantastic idea!!
Hi Karen, love this idea! Have not participated in giving up stuff for lent – not something my family practiced. This year, I seem to be drawn more to lent and the observance of it. So, how fitting to take something on vs giving something up. Puts it in a more positive light. At the beginning of this year I had decided to send out more handwritten notecards – I really enjoy cards. This is a great way of blessing others, especially during lent. I’ll share this with our w.o.w church group which meets tonight. Blessings! ~Jodie
Love your article. I am not a traditional Lent observer, but I have given up some unhealthy habits and added in some healthy ones. Honoring God with my body is my Lenten focus this year!
Lent was never a part of my life growing up…always wondered what it was and why anyone would choose to give up candy or some other equally tantalizing thing. However in the last few years our youth group has spent some time studying and observing lent which has found it’s way in to our home. This year my hubby and I both decided to add rather than subtract so appreciated this post today!
I grew up in the country in a Baptist home. Our closest neighbors were deer and raccoons, and being Baptist we didn’t observe Lent. I did always wonder why some of the kids at school had “black stuff” on their heads each year, but never got an answer, other than “that is something Catholics do”. I love your idea of doing something instead of giving something up. I would like to take on your challenge to write a note of encouragement each day of Lent this year. I have some note cards here in my office I use to write “Thank You” notes on when someone helps out in the Church Office, but will use them to write the “Lent Notes”.
Karen,
love your blog today, I actually heard the same message today at my ash wednesday service here in Iowa. I had never really heard anyone talk about what more can you add/give instead of giving up something for 4o days. I am truly inspired!!
Thanks!!
I was just thinking about this today. I was trying to think of something to give up for Lent and starting thinking that adding something would be better. Wasn’t sure what to do to honor God and his sacrifice for me but think this is a great idea. I know so many people who could use a kind hello and to be reminded that God loves them and is right beside them. Bringing some sunshine into someone’s life would be a loving thing to do. Love this idea!
I love this idea! Just yesterday I posted a list of some 40 day challenges including sending out 40 cards of encouragement. When I saw this link over on the Proverbs 31 facebook page, I was so delighted to read that someone else was thinking like I was! It is such a blessing to get a handwritten card from someone in the mail or hand delivered, in this day of instant messaging and email it has become somewhat impersonal. That was one of my main reasons for wanting to send out cards, to get back to the more personal basics of life. I have never celebrated lent, being that I was not brought up in a church group that did it. But a few days ago I heard something on the radio that made me think about making some good habits during these 40 days. Adding something that will benefit me spiritually and in the process show the love of God to those around me. Thanks for this post!! May God Bless you!!
Karen,
My daughter annd I are also taking something on for Lent – rather than giving something up -or in addition to giving something up. I love to send notes to friends, and I think I’ll “copy” your idea. I’ve also determined to spend more time journaling and reading/meditating on the Word.
I like this idea. I’m not ready to commit to every single day, but feel that even a weekly note to a friend or acquaintance, or thoughtful gesture each week is on my radar.
Working full-time can either make a woman crazy trying to keep up with everything, or can force one to be more willing to accept God’s grace when she is unable to do everything. I am going with the latter this year. It goes against society’s pressure to be the perfect working mom. It stands in the face of the guilt that I heap upon myself, or the shame that the enemy throws my way.
I choose to throw the shame back at the enemy, and embrace grace, as I ask God what to do with this challenge.
Blessings to you!
:) Rhea
i also love this idea and plan to do it. Thank you for the idea and if you send me your snail mail, you can find out how I’m doing. I am in NC…….anyone else? We could be writing buddies to keep each other on task?
I have never given anything up during the lent season. Over the last few days I have seen many different ways to enjoy the season without giving up, but giving differently… of time. I really like the idea of sending notes, but also in taking the time to be with GOD daily before anything else. This is something that I need even more throughout the year, not just during the Easter season. Also, the prayer candlesa and rocks with the specific names and items that you want to pray for… love it! Thanks for your encouraging notes and ideas on how to share your faith.
To be honest, I don’t know much about the why behind the observance of Lent. I grew up watching my Catholic friends observe it and talk about giving something up… but I’ve never taken the time nor had a specific opportunity to learn just exactly what it’s all about.
That said – I like the idea of taking something on… and have decided to take on this idea of sending a note to someone each day. I used to send cards and notes to friends & family on a regular basis, but as my kids got older and life got busier – I don’t do it like I used to! And you are so right – it is the giving up of time and some money while also giving of yourself!
I’m going to write the first note and get it ready to mail NOW! Thanks, Karen!
I have never really done much in the way of giving something up for lent, however last year I did give up fast food. Now this past September I started a diet (lost 80 pounds so far) and haven’t had any fast food in almost 6 months! Funny how your perspective changes. I have been thinking alot about this exact thing…I need to be more intentional with communication with friends. I can’t let it just be Christmas letters anymore! Thanks so much for your constant inspiration, words of wisdom and qentle nudging which I know is from God!
Karen, I absolutely love this idea! We are currently doing the Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore study at my church and this idea goes hand in hand with the them LIVE IT! Thank you so much for the simple idea of writing a card to someone. I cherish it!
This year I am giving up fried foods (I’m a southern gal, so this can be difficult!) as a way of saying that I am tired of feeding this body God has given just junk, that I can fill up on God, not french fries. I am so taking something on, I’m memorizing a verse pertaining to trusting God, every week (I’m horrible at memorizing, so this is huge for me!).