Lent-Give it Up.

Please note--I've added a spot on the far right of the blog for those who have made the written commitment to run this summer. If you told me you wanted to run and I missed you, please let me know! The list is getting longer--who will be next?

Good Things About Today:

1. Good 5 miles.
2. Snow, again, but Ben is home to shovel!
3. Olympics+DVR=Heaven

Today, let's talk a little about Lent.

Right off the bat, I'm going to assume you all know what Lent is...if you don't a quick trip to Wikipedia will help.

Growing up Lent wasn't really an integral part of my Easter experience. I routinely scoffed at you Catholics (Wendy, Ang and Jole) who talked about giving something up. My overall immaturity gave way to a snicker here or there about kneeling and praying with beads. Little did I know that God had a very significant plan for my life that was going to upend my Catholic stereotyping.

At 24 I found myself teaching seventh grade in a Catholic school. As a practicing Christian (Yes, Becky, Catholics are Christians too.), I wanted to make sure I didn't lose myself and my beliefs after being submerged in what I believed to be Catholic mumbo-jumbo. Well thank goodness for that, right?

Who knew how incredibly wrong I could be...(I'm sure several of you did, but please refrain from chiming in here.) After being exposed to my students and their parents during those first couple of months I began to more clearly understand the intricate practices and rituals which were part of a Catholic's faith. It's that 'PART' word that is the important one---I failed to recognize (because I was immature and arrogant about my own faith)--Catholics are not simply their practices--their faith was just as solid as my own, and in many cases even more so. The realization brought be down a few pegs, and helped me to understand how much I could benefit for watching, listening, and even trying some of the things I'd once criticized. Thus: Giving up something for Lent.

Now you understand how I got where I am today---it's time to think about what (if anything) you'll be giving up on Wednesday. And here's my challenge to you all:

Don't simply give something up, also promise yourself you'll DO one thing everyday. My goal is to mail 7 letters each week to people who have made a difference in my life. Corny, I know but I think this is a good way to thank the people who have helped me get where I am today.

So there's your challenge--it's a two parter. 1. Give something up (and make it worth it) 2. Choose one thing to DO every day.

Tomorrow we will delve into what I'm giving up.

Also, remember if you want to run, let me know!

God Bless.
Becky