Lent…A Season of Fasting and Feasting.

Having grown up in the Episcopal Church, Ash Wednesday marked the season of Lent and Lent was Something Important. So important that we had to Give Up Something. Usually chocolate. Which was easy for me because I don’t really need chocolate. But I do like it.

Clearly, I missed the entire point.

Because I don’t do sacrifice well.

At all.

So this year, for the first time I can remember, I decided that Ash Wednesday and Lent really ARE something special and should be treated as such. And I decided to give up something that really would be a sacrifice.

Starbucks Coffee.

That’s right. You read it correctly.

But before you start thinking I’m All That…please note that I only gave up going to Starbucks for coffee (or any other drink/food brewed/made there).

And before you start thinking how really pathetic I am…let me fill you in on my Starbucks AddictionHabit.

I brew Starbucks beans at home in my own coffee pot and/or french press. And then on my way to the office, I would stop and get a cup. A big cup. And complain that they ignored my request to “super size me”.

And sometimes, The Man and I would grab a Starbucks while we were out. You know…every night.

See? S-A-C-R-I-F-I-C-E people.

And I have stuck with it for an entire week! I’ve been in Starbucks once…yesterday…to pick up a pound of beans and have them ground. And of course you know if you are a Starbucks regular that you also get a free tall coffee. Which of course I took. Because I didn’t BUY it. And that is what prompted me to give up Starbucks Coffee for Lent…the cost.

And, of course, the sacrifice.

A bit ago, I checked out (was led there?) Sr. Lynn at the Clyde Monastery. She’s a Siesta from the LPM blog. I wish that she would post every day. I LOVE her posts.

Her most recent post included this:

LENT: A SEASON OF FASTING, A SEASON OF FEASTING.

•Fast from judging others; Feast on Christ living in them.

•Fast from harsh words; Feast on words that build others up.

•Fast from discontent; Feast on gratitude.

•Fast from anger; Feast on patience.

•Fast from pessimism; Feast on optimism.

•Fast from worry; Feast on God’s care.

•Fast from complaining; Feast on appreciation.

•Fast from bitterness; Feast on forgiveness.

•Fast from self-concern; Feast on compassion for others.

•Fast from discouragement; Feast on hope.

•Fast from facts that depress; Feast on facts that uplift.

•Fast from suspicion; Feast on the truth.

•Fast from thoughts that weaken; Feast on promises that inspire.

•Fast from idle gossip; Feast on Silence with a purpose.

I’ve printed it out. And I am going to Fast and Feast according to it. And I think to do so will be my real Sacrifice for Him.