Giving Up?
>> Wednesday, February 3, 2010 –
Lent
The season of Lent begins two weeks from today. And so begin the thoughts of what to give up. What habit or actions or thoughts or words might we strike from our lives during the forty days that lead us to Easter? Sometimes it seems so cruel when Lent begins this early in the year...right on the heels of the New Year and all of its resolutions (or, rebelutions)...asking us to adjust again. Examine ourselves. Cast aside those things that seem to always trip us up.
So...what if we flip things around this year? How about if we thought in terms of what to take up, instead of what to give up? What if we thought about taking up a new hobby, or a new attitude, or a new way of talking to ourselves about ourselves? Wouldn't that be just as effective as giving up? And what if it turned out to be more effective than giving up?
What would you take up?
You KNOW it! Yes! And this is going in my 'snack food' sidebar! Thanks for something good to chew on today!
- Marilyn
AMEN..great thought. What can we do to make ourselves better people and benefit those around us??
Blessings, andrea
I love this post as it's right up my alley. We all give up something to show sacrifice because, after all, the Lord made the supreme sacrifice for all of us. Usually, what we give up is something that keeps us from focusing on the Lord. Too much Internet? TV? Alcohol? Gluttony? But we always replace it with something else to bring us closer to Him, like reading the Bible, praying, going to Mass more often, etc...
Beautiful thoughts, Deidra. I've already been thinking about Lent myself, and I think this might be a great year to "take up" something new. No time like the present!
Well, I am going to give up TV and take up getting organized. This will make me less stressed and have a more peaceful soul for God to speak into.
Great positive reinforcement here! I like it....
I want to take up more positive self talk...I tend to beat myself up and be more forgiving of other people than I am of myself so I want to try and give myself a break more...
I always try to give up or do something...but this year I need to work on finding me again. I look forward to lent every year to put life in perspective.
I think I should try talking to (and treating) myself in a gentler way - it could turn into one of those pay-it-forward things.
(I might give up chocolate for Lent - pains me to even write that...)
Oh, Deidra, do I ever love this post. I think you have really hit the nail smack dab square on the head here.
And I am reminded of the verse that says,"Obedience is better than sacrifice." Sorry, I don't know its address. And God really talked to his people about sacrifice and what he really wants from us in Isaiah 58. I think I will go back and read that chapter again because it is all about what you have just written.
So I choose to take up faith today believing that I can do new things, take up new hobbies, take up talking to myself differently.
Oh wow! what a gold mine for us today.
Thank you,
Dianne
I think I will TAKE UP more positive thoughts !! xoxo
This was a great post to think on. I had not really thought of Lent that way. Thank you ! Thanks for blessing my heart.
YES!! i would take up speaking the words of affirmation that come to my mind but that i hesitate to speak.
i love this!
I would pick up my Bible every day, run consistently, and accept positive comments from others without questioning. Is that too much, should I focus on only one?
It's funny you posted this because I am currently trying to learn to crochet! Both my mother and mother-in-law knew how and I always thought I would learn from one of them, but sadly they are no longer here to teach me. So I am trying to teach myself - wish me luck! :)
I will give up sugar and will take up generosity. I have been blessed and wish to bless in return.
oh, this is a heart warming post. you have given me the heads up, toward a more fulfilling Easter. xo
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