I am not going to try to explain lent, or suggest what to give up or take on.  There are so many lenten resources out there, there is no need for me to add one.  I will, however, offer my opinion as to what lent is NOT:

  • Lent is not a time to torture yourself.  If at any time the focus changes from God to yourself, either how wonderful you are to keep up this lenten sacrifice, or how horrible you are for messing up yet again, you have missed the point of lent.
  • Lent is not a time to try the impossible.  I don’t believe that God wants that.  Again, when we try to do things like that we tend to become a bit self-absorbed.
  • Lent is not a time to walk around wearing sackcloth with your stomach rumbling from fasting. Lent is personal and no one needs to see or know what you are doing. 
  • Lent is not a time to judge what others may or may not be doing.

Lent is an invitation
lent is an opportunity
lent is personal journey

Use the time this year to go  inside to meet the God who waits with love for you.