Lent

So, I am going to rant.

I am a Christian, I have been basically since birth and I have wanted to be one since I knew who God was and all He had done for me. I used to go to church every Sunday, I ran the Youth Group for almost 6 years, I ran a Christian Retreat for High School Kids, I was very involved in the church.

Until the Episcopal church split and my church went through a HUGE upheaval.

Then I started looking for new churches, and basically this was a very daunting task and my motivation dwindled.

This does not mean I am any less of a Christian, it just means I don't necessarily get my weekly sacraments that feed me spiritually.

However, I still try to act Christian, I still treat people as best I can, I still abide by the commandments and keep up my end of my relationship with God on a daily basis.

What bothers me, are Christians (and I hate to say it, they are mostly Catholic, which I am not) that all of a sudden, Ash Wednesday comes around and they are freaking out about going to church for their ashes, or giving up something for lent, or not eating meat, and even fasting for the day. Yet, I have never heard this person profess a Christian thought since I've known them.

It is just so funny that for one day, people are "so catholic" but every other day they forget. One friend was trying to remember whether she was supposed to fast for Ash Wednesday or just not eat meat. She called her dad and he said she was supposed to fast, so I said, "well, are you going to fast or are you coming to lunch with us." Her response was, "well, I already had a donut so I guess not." I don't know, it just all seems so odd to me. I asked someone who was struggling with what they were going to give up for lent, why they give things up and they couldn't tell me. REALLY?? Then what is the purpose?!?! If you don't know why you're doing it, then why the heck do it?!?!

You're supposed to want to do it as a symbol of appreciation for what the Lord did for you. He went 40 days and 40 nights without sustenance. You're supposed to be giving something up as if to say, I am doing this in honor of what the Lord did, and if He could do that for me, then this is the least I can do for him. And the whole "cheating on Sundays" thing is just beyond me! Do it or don't do it!

Anyways, that is my rant.

As an episcopalian we were never forced to give something up. We could if we wanted to, but it was not pushed. And rather than really give something up, I have decided that lent is a good time for me to start a new habit. I now get up every morning with my hubby, an hour before I have to, and workout at home. When the weather is better, I will go for a run on the track and come back and work out some more. I want to be around for a long time and I still have 10 baby pounds to lose. As well as a lot of toning to work on!

Back to work, I have a meeting in 10 minutes.