Lent, Lent or Lint?

The Early Wednesday Morning Breakfast Club sat around munching on biscuits and discussing what should be done about lent.  No…not the past tense of “lend” and no…not the fuzzy stuff that collects on your dryer filter or in your belly button.

We talked about the “lent” that starts on Ash Wednesday, 40 days before the first full moon after the vernal equinox not counting Sundays or the last part of Holy Week…that “lent”…the 40 days of fasting “lent”. 

We thrashed out the traditional giving up stuff…stuff like chocolate.  Or maybe doing something positive or maybe doing nothing.  If you lived your life as if lent were everyday…then maybe there should be no need to improve yourself. 

I wanted to be in the “don’t do anything” category but I do recognize the need to improve my spiritual disposition.  So, maybe I’ll give up cokes…soda water…pop.  I can do that…besides that stuff isn’t good for me anyway.  I need to work on my self-discipline…self-denial…build up some spiritual character and integrity.

This Lent I shall take advantage of the opportunity and develop my self-control, but first I feel obligated to support the Fat Tuesday Church sanctioned benefit that offers a tasty world famous gumbo and bread pudding.

Dear Lord Jesus, I pray

The bread pudding won’t jeopardize

A chance for spiritual exercise.

Lent is an occasion to step up to the plate

And push away from the dinner plate.

I’ve not done so well in the past

But, now I must fast at last.

How can I expect to know what’s up

Unless I taste of Your cup?

If I do what you want me to

Perhaps...then, I can start anew.

Amen.