Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Ephesians 4:23 (TLB)
I have a notorious sweet tooth. Not only do I enjoy sampling desserts, I enjoy baking them and experimenting with recipes. So it’s no small sacrifice for me to give up sweets for Lent.
This past Lent I had lunch with a friend, and when it came time to order dessert, she asked me what looked good.
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“Everything,” I told her and then explained that because it was Lent, I was abstaining. “Giving up something goes way back to my childhood. Don’t you?”
“I used to,” she explained, “but I’ve had a change of heart.”
That intrigued me. “How do you mean?”
“Well,” she said, “I decided that instead of giving up something, I would do something,”
This was sounding better by the moment. “Give me an example,” I said.
“I send a shut-in a card or make an overdue phone call to a friend or relative.”
“That’s great.”
“At first it seems like a task, but I come away feeling better about life. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to give up something for Lent, but I’ve discovered that the things I do become habits and that makes a positive change in my life.”
I’m looking to make positive changes in my life too. I’ll continue to abstain from desserts during Lent because it’s good for me and I appreciate them more at Easter, but from now on, I’m going to do something too.
Lord, open my eyes to the needs of others and show me how I can make a difference during Lent and all year round.
