Sacrifices

-

Lent, which seems so long,
is short at other men's tables.  

~ Italian Proverb
-----------------------------------

I was raised Catholic.  Therefore, that meant church not only on Sundays but also holy days.  Easter was always the toughest and involved marathon church goings.  And that brings me to Lent.  I hadn't really given up anything in a while.  Aside from that year I gave up swearing.  We can all guess how far I got in that sacrifice.  This year, I felt inspired through a co-worker to actually give something up, truly sacrifice, and stick to it.  After all, she not only gives up something new but also everything she has given up in the past.  Wow!  Seriously, I couldn't give up one little thing?  Eee-gads, what was I teaching my children?!?!

So, I pondered.  I contemplated.  I decided.  I stuck to it.  I gave up something I felt would be a challenge for me - food!  Specifically, Panda Express.  I love Chinese food so much and having it in the same building where I work is really deadly.  But seriously, Lent isn't that long!  I could do this!!

Only a few days into it, my sacrifice hit me hard...right in the nostrils.  I didn't realize how many of my co-workers eat Panda until I could no longer eat it.  By approximately day #4, I was convinced that God wanted me to eat Panda.  I was quickly reminded by another co-worker, that was not what I was being taught.  Really?  Cause I was almost sure I could hear someone whispering in my ear "Eat Panda."  

This refreshed interest in Lent also brought with it many conversations about religion.  Funny ones. Sad ones.  Lively ones.  Interesting ones.  Even one that was followed up with a little gift - the key chain you see in the photo above.  For someone such as me who doesn't necessarily "flaunt" religion, this gift is really quite hilarious.  Me, with a "pick Jesus" key chain where the middle part is an actual pick that you can play guitar with?  I will treasure it forever.  However, what I will treasure far beyond religion, Lent and lessons in sacrifice are those conversations with friends who accept me...just...the way...I am.  

So, you're probably wondering, did I make it?  Yes, I did.  I made it all of Lent with no Panda Express and I have to say, eating it today was less than gratifying.  Perhaps I've taught myself I can actually live without it!  Amazing how giving something up for a while can do that.  

As for the Pick Jesus key chain?  I'll just keep that tucked in the bottom of my purse for now.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Reason #57: Calling a Kid By the Dog's Name

-
But my thoughts ran a wool-gathering; and I did like  the countryman, who looked for his ass while  he was mounted on his back. —Cervantes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I always laughed at my dad when he called one of us by the wrong name.  Even this weekend, I am sure he called me by my sister's name at least a half a dozen times.  I just answer to it anymore, knowing he's talking to me.  Who knew I would be plagued by the same problem as an adult.  The story is short and simple and goes a bit like this.  Malea has been very precocious this week.  I think daycare is in for a BIG surprise next week.  For two days now I feel all I've said is "No Malea."  "Malea, no-no."  "NO."  Malea has taken to opening my cabinet in the kitchen with the pots and pans and spreading them about the house.  Worst of all, she's sneaky about it too.  I came into the k...
Read more

Notebooks

-
Image
Drench yourself in words unspoken. Live your life with arms wide open.   Today is, where your book begins.   The rest is still unwritten.   -Natasha Bedingfield I've sat down to write so many times I've lost track.  I get started then stop.  Something was always missing. Wittiness. A lesson. Humor. An ending that made sense.  Something!  I would always leave that writing for another day.  Another day never came.  Time after time, I'd go back to it, then scrap it and start over.   Starting over.  What a funny notion.  An empty piece of paper, a blank slate, always clean and new.  Always. I mean, who would argue the best part of school starting was new notebooks.  No writing or markings, just waiting for fresh knowledge.  Ok, so I still love a new notebook.   Losing someone you care for always makes you reflect on things, on your own notebooks of time; your blank pie...
Read more

Letters

-
Image
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.  ~ Kahlil Gibran ------------------------------------------ Well, here it comes folks. The blog that will either keep you reading or destroy whatever relationship we've been having.  Either way, what I write here is mine.  I made absolutely no claim at perfection, although you really should have known that already by the title of this blog.  While this was difficult to write and took quite a bit of reflection, again, it is truly my own.  After days of pondering and writing, daughter of the year #1 gave me a big sign tonight that I was finally ready to post this.  Dad of the year suffered a loss in his family recently and, in my mind, the worst kind.  The one that creeps up on you and surprises you with grief you didn't think you would have.  Or should I say, grief you didn't think you would need to work th...
Read more