As a Southern Baptist, I have never really been a stickler for giving up something for Lent. Not because I don’t want to make the sacrifice, but because it wasn’t part of my religious traditions.
But the more I think about it as an adult, I think about my child. I think about what sacrificing my child means. And then I think that I need to be willing to give up more for my Lord- the way He did for me.
I could give up Cokes (because you know pregnancy didn’t force me to give them up), chocolate, or fast food. But I’d like to do something where I feel like I am really sacrificing. And I know that giving up Cokes, chocolate, or fast food are huge sacrifices for some people. But my biggest sacrifices would come from the way I spend my time.
Should I give up buying any non-essentials (anything other than food) until Easter? What about Twitter or blogging? Those both take up a lot of my time and are big distractions. What about television? We don’t watch as much as we used to, but we definitely have television as a part of our nightly routine. And while television is part of my routine, daily quiet time in the Word with my God is not a part of my every single day routine. And it should be!
I have decided that the best way for me to sacrifice something that means a lot to me while gaining spiritual growth, is to give up my sleep. Don’t worry- I’m not giving up all of my sleep. But until April 24, I will intentionally wake up every morning before TC and Hudson (around 6:30 a.m.) and spend time in the Word preparing my heart for the day.
Since Hudson was born, I have basically used him as my alarm clock. And if he sleeps until 9:00, I’m probably going to sleep until 9:00. Since he has been in school, he hasn’t been able to sleep as late in the mornings, so I have to get up a little bit before he does to get myself dressed. But the rest of the morning is spent rushing around getting him fed and dressed before dashing off to school. And then the day begins and it doesn’t slow down.
I am going to wake up to have a quiet hour or two in my home, with the Word of the Lord, and just listen and learn. My prayer is that I will love it. That I won’t complain about missing those couple of hours of sleep. And I pray that this will not be a habit that is abandoned come Easter Sunday.
I owe this to my husband and children. And more than anything, I owe my Savior the time that He hasn’t been given. He deserves more than a rushed few minutes at bed time. When I think about all that I’ve been blessed with, how could I not make my own sacrifice?
Are you giving up anything for Lent?
Fabulous idea. I am sitting in my office with ashes on my forehead and getting strange looks! I am going to do the same–carve out quiet time each morning.
This is exactly what my husband and I have both been planning on doing during Lent as well. We may still give up one of our little addictions but it makes more sense to choose something that will grow us in our faith during this season of Lent. I know this will be a gift not only to you but to your sweet family!
I converted to Catholicism in 2006 so making “giving up” something for Lent is part of my new-found religious traditions. This year, I am giving up shopping for myself..literally everything other than shampoo ! I am also giving up some free time too & plan to read a daily Lenten devotion and pray 1 decade of the Rosary w/ my 5 yr. old each day. For me, Lent is really a time for me to “get real” with myself & Jesus. I am hoping that my son will see how important my Catholic beliefs are to me & he will have memories of “mommy & me” praying the Rosary during Lent.
Erin! I adore this idea, and think I will appropriate it.
Thank you, Erin! As I tweeted earlier, the message this morning during Mass was one very similar to your message here. It’s really not about giving up something you eat or something you choose to do on a daily basis, it’s more about changing yourself for the better. I couldn’t agree more with making more time for the Lord in our daily routines. I think it would make us all have better attitudes towards whatever the day brings our way and all-around nicer to our neighbors, near and far.
You are such an inspiring friend and I thank God every day that he found a way to bring us together!
Love you!
This is one of the best “Lent Sacrifices” I have heard yet this season! Perfectly fitting for this time of year. May you and your family be richly blessed by this sweet sacrifice.
God Bless!
Definitely….in my home it’s TV, sweets and soda. But, we also added in something new this year. We are doing the 40 Loves of Lent. Each day we are responsible for telling every member of the family one thing that we love about that person. Every day must be different. Also, we have to tell one way that we extended kindness to someone else that day. It could be as simple as a smile, or compliment, but it must be done daily. 🙂
I love the idea of getting up early to have some quiet time to yourself each morning. The few mornings a week that I’m up before Jim and Molly are blissful and the rest of the day goes so much smoother! You’d think I’d do it every day, right?! I, however, am giving up sweets for Lent. I have this weird idea that I need something sweet after every meal, and it’s really become quite ridiculous. After eating lunch today, I really, really, really wanted to eat one of Jim’s chocolate eggs, but I didn’t! Jim isn’t giving up sweets, so I can’t completely remove them from the house, but I think that makes it that much more of a sacrifice; I won’t eat them if they aren’t here, but if I can enter into prayer or reflection every time I pass that bag of candy or move the ice cream carton around in the freezer, I will remember the reason for the season. Great post!
I think it’s a wonderful idea! I’m not a mom but I know many who do get up before their families because they say it helps them reflect on their own mind and spirit. I can imagine it would be nice to have some time to yourself – praying, reading, listening, or even straightening the house 😉 – before dedicating your day to serving as wife and mother. You deserve alone and quite time too.
This is beautiful- what a precious sacrifice to make for your family. I pray that it fills your day with peace and joy as you begin it sitting at the feet of our Lord.
You are a true inspiration my friend!!! What a wonderful sacrifice and you will gain so much from it!! Love you!
This is such a great idea! You are such an inspiration. I am really torn as to what to give up as well and have seriously considered giving up chocolate. But I am also a fan of “doing” something different during lent too, not just giving something up. So this year I plan to try to talk to God on a more regular basis. I tend to pray only when I need something or to ask God for guidance. But I know I should talk to him everyday and thank him for the blessings he has given me. I admire you so much for giving up precious hours of sleep and look forward to reading about all that you learn and experience during your time with God and His word!
Our pastor challenged us this year to do the same. I’m giving up Facebook. I even disabled it on my phone, and had my husband change my password so I wouldn’t be tempted. One day in, and I already feel left out! But it’s pointed out to me how much I mindlessly surf FB and I doubt I’m missing much on there anyway. I’ve got plenty of other stuff to focus on, and it’s good to sacrifice something every once in a while as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice this season is all about.
You are so right, that not giving up something you do on a daily basis, but rather doing something to better yourself.
What an inspiration you are!
Blessings to you and your family.
AMEN! Great choice. My days are just not as good if I don’t spend morning time in the Word.
I am finished having my children now and I need to shed some pounds so I am giving up dessert. I love dessert so this will be tough but I think about the torture Jesus endured for me and I’m pretty sure I can handle not having sugary sweets until Easter.
One of my favorite posts you’ve ever done girl. I’m also a Southern Baptist and truthfully don’t get the whole Lent thing as it’s never been practiced in my house. I do think it gets a bit out of hand when people seem to be competing to see who can “sacrifice” the most. I don’t think giving up Coke is in anyway the same kind of sacrifice that Christ showed us. What I do think is this is a time of reflection and prayer and working to be a better person for God’s work. It’s been on my heart heavily lately to spend more time in the Word, and honestly? I’ve failed miserably. Maybe I’ll take this post as a bit of inspiration and get up a bit earlier too.
Posts like these are why I heart you. Very, very well said. H is a very lucky boy to have you as his mother. So is #2!
I just LOVE your blog. You are so beautiful and such an inspiration!! I have to remind myself that if Satan can’t make ya bad, he’ll make ya busy….too busy to spend time with our Lord & Savior? Sounds ridiculous, but it’s often a reality. And then of course, there are all the distractions. Not necessarily even bad things, (I mean, I don’t consider sports, blogging, work, shopping, friends/family, working out, etc. “bad distractions”) but anything that keeps us from spending time with God is just that- a distraction. I LOVE my sleep and definitely applaud you for this. Let us know how it goes…maybe this is the inspiration I need to get my booty up and do my quiet time in the am. Sometimes those golden intentions of “I’ll do it later…” get neglected and remain just that….intentions.
http://www.mrandmrsjonathanbutler.blogspot.com
Love this post! 🙂 You have inspired me to do the same thing! Thank you!
I was thinking of that as well. Instead of not having dessert to actually commit to having. Quiet time.
I am going to try and recenter my thoughts and motivations this Lent. That being said, I’ve decided to give up Facebook and Twitter since I find myself so drawn to those to things and I know my heart os full or prayers that could be said in that time instead. My hope is that I get stronger in prayer and that I learn to not be so drawn to “check-in” to them. I also plan to attend each Lenten Mass offered.
I am so moved by this. Lately, I have really been struggling to find time for anything, and Sundays are extremely hard for us, trying to get to church. I do not pray enough. I do not read the Bible enough. And I am saddened by this and ashamed. Your post has really moved my heart to repent and do better. God Bless, Becky
This is absolutely beautiful. I recently went on a mission trip to Haiti, and one of the things I cherished most about the trip (besides building relationships with beautiful Haitians) was the team devotional time we had each morning and each evening. Obviously we did not have the distractions of modern amenities while there (electricity, t.v., internet, etc), but we did have full days of work and play with the people of Haiti. But it was so refreshing (and necessary) to come together each morning and evening to be together in the Word as a team, and it is a ritual I have strived to keep up since returning home.
Having quiet time each day to center yourself with the Lord is so vital to having a calm spirit. I love how you so eloquently describe your journey in this blog entry.
Love this. And you!! Not much else to say.
I really enjoyed this post. I was raised Pentecostal and we certainly did not practice Lent or follow the church year. However, after my husband and I were married (he was raised Lutheran) we ended up at a Evangelical Covenant church. Which, is ta heologically conservative evangelical church that follows the church year and is more litergical when it comes to things like Ash wednesday, Lent and Advent. At first it was a huge adjustment to me but now I can’t imagine celebrating Easter without first going through Ash Wednesday service, Lent, and Good Friday. I really admire your decision to give up sleep and time to spend it with God. I chose to do that one year for Lent and it was the hardest Lent I went through but it was an amazing time of growth and it developed a regular practice of time with God. This year I am giving up all sugar and sweets, white flour and fried foods. I am going to try and keep my diet to healthful whole foods only. I have always wanted to do a Daniel fast for Lent (no meat, sugar, alchohol) but I have yet to do it.
I’m not Catholic so this is probably a really stupid question, but can you please explain what “spending time in the Word” means?
I am a Catholic, so “giving up something” for Lent has always been a part of my life. However, last year around this time, when I was pondering what to give up, I realized that what I was really yearning for was a better relationship with God. So, I switched things up! Rather than take something out of my life, I added something! Every day, I would sit down for 10-20 minutes and just pray and reflect on my relationship with Him. It’s not something I take the time to do every single day, so forcing myself to do this was a big commitment–But a wonderful one! I grew so much in my faith during those 40 days, but I know I can grow even stronger, so I am going to be doing the same thing this year–Starting today! I hope you enjoy the time you spend with Him each day as much as I did! And, on a different note, thank you for sharing your life with your readers! You are inspiring; God definitely works through you! 🙂
Amen! I love your perspective. You’re right, it will be God honoring but it will truly bless your life. How amazing to think of the ways God will work in your life and your family’s life as you make Him a priority. I’ll be praying for you as you begin these days in the Word. XOXO
I think that is wonderful of you. Perhaps it will become habit and a terrific way to spiritually start your day.
This is a great one! I, too, am Southern Baptist and didn’t grow up giving something up for Lent. However, my husband is Catholic so since we’ve been dating I’ve always joined him in participating. I was really struggling this year with what to do, the normal food vices just don’t seem good enough. I have a couple devotionals on my bookshelf that for one reason or another I’ve started reading and then put down. This would be perfect for me, when it comes down to it, sleep is probably my most precious commodity that I am not really willing to sacrifice. And I’m confident there’s no better way to begin the day that some quiet time w. God reading his Word.
“spending time in the Word” means studying the Bible, aka The Word of God 🙂 That phrase isn’t Catholic. Is it a more “southern” or Baptist phrase? My friend in Texas says it sometimes. Every Ash Wednesday we always have a good laugh here about the long ago time when our 8 year old came home from school to announce that she had “given up peas”…this would be from the child who 2 years previously had snuck into the dining room to shove her hated peas into the heat register! I like the idea of “adding something” to your life or to the lives of others to help you grow spiritually. And I like the practice of truly sacrificing–not just giving up something that would be good for you to do anyway–like smoking or twinkies. My husband and I are going to go back to our, cast by the wayside, practice of praying together OUT LOUD every night 🙂 I’d also like to eat more simply and take those days to cook for some people that we know NEED to have some homecooked meals. I don’t know if anyone watched the recent 60 MInutes, but it was a really good reminder to me about the terrible number of hungry children and families that are out there.
You go, girl. You’ve got to be exhausted chasing around sweet Hudson while you’re in your third trimester, so I know that sleep is going to be one major sacrifice. I will be thinking of you.
Being raised Catholic, we were always told to give something up, but in general this Lent, I am trying to treat my body like the “temple” God says it is. When I take my health for granted and overindulge in wine or greasy food, I feel awful and that discontent seeps into other areas of my life, like my relationship with my husband, my energy level to play with my son, and my ability to focus at work. Focusing on treating my body as a “temple” while being consciously grateful for my health can be a prayerful exercise that I pray will help me be a better person more ready to “take up my cross.” I plan to practice prayerful and meditative yoga when I’m tempted to spend hours online. I feel like this will help me re-center and re-prioritize. I also plan to perform at least one random act of kindness daily. I hope your family has a beautiful Lenten season and a very blessed Easter!
Great idea!
I’ve given up facebook, TV, and wine with dinner. Gives me more time to spend with loved ones, friends, and God.
Cxx
What a great idea! I am giving up chocolate. Wish me luck! 😉
I grew up in and attend an American Baptist church and Lent has never been a part of our religious traditions either. I love what you are choosing to sacrifice though. Sometimes it seems like some people that do practice Lent don’t always sacrifice in that way.
Great idea!!!
I’m giving up clutter. I’m vowing to declutter through the next 40 days.
When I begin to WANT to spend time in God’s Word, I prayed that He would make me thirst after His Word– that I would desire more than anything to spend time with Him and read His word. Pray for that desire; He will give it to you. I gave this same advice to one of the young women prisoners I met last weekend. She expressed that she really wanted to read the Bible but didn’t know where to start. I am praying for her everyday — as I do for you!
Erin,
This is truly an wonderful idea. Throu out the day as people ask about the ash on my forehead and what I have giving you and I draw a blank. I wanted to make it a meaningful Lent season; so this is an wonderful idea. I will definitely incorporate this as part of my daily routine. I have added working out in the morning and at night I will incorporate some quite time with the Lord.
Thank you
Su
Love this! I’ve done it as well and the Lord was so faithful to honor my sacrifice and discpline to wake up early. I hope that it ignites a fire for the Word of the Lord. James and Titus are my “go-to” books when I don’t know what to read, if that’s an issue for you. Enjoy this journey!!!
Lovely. I’m sure that is exactly the way to take something that is or has become so legalistic and turn it into an opportunity to make a longterm difference in yourself and for your family. You’ll be a great role model for your children.
I love this post. Very well stated and before I read this I was just going to give up something fairly superficial but you gave me a different perspective on Lent. I’m a day late, but I think I will make a similar Lent sacrifice/promise.
You are such an inspiration! I should do the same especially because we haven’t been attending church. Our Babe won’t sit through a service anymore and we are not ready to leave him in the nursery.
I love this post and this idea. I’m sick of people treating Lent like a diet! So dumb!
I am giving up cell phone/radio usage in the car during my morning and evening commute and instead spending that time in conversation with God.
Love your blog! This is so powerful!!
I love this idea. Can’t wait to hear how it goes for you and how you grow from it. Only blessings can come!
One of the things I am giving up is the radio to and from work. I try to use this quiet time for prayer and it really helps me start my day in a calm way and then when I am on my way home, I can really wind down and reflect. I did this last year too and I noticed a big difference. I am also reading the One Year Bible and am a little behind, so I am going to make it a point to read at least my one day reading every day during Lent.
Good luck with getting up early!
I too am part of the SBC and have had the same sentiments about Lent in the past. You have given me something to think about and for that I am appreciative.
What a great idea E! I am going to try to do the same thing, but use part of Wyatt’s nap time as prayer and reflection time. I’m failing so far, BUT to be fair, I had to sweep, mop, and do bathrooms today. Maybe by his afternoon nap! Thanks for inspiring us!
This is wonderful. Good for you!
one of the best posts you’ve ever written! 🙂
Great idea Erin! I felt the same way about giving up something like chocolate, that I wasn’t sacrificing in the same way. And with being pregnant I have already given up many edible items 🙂 My husband and I decided to stop eating dinner in front of the TV, which is a bad habit we had gotten into in the past 6 months. Its not a sacrifice but more of a way for us to make sure we have an uninterrupted conversation with out TV or computers distracting us for at least a half hour during the day.
If we didn’t have to get up at 5 and 6 oclock every day I would love the idea of getting up early to spend some time with the Lord. Maybe one day when we have jobs that don’t have such early and late hours.
http://www.sarahandzannhawkins.blogspot.com/
I grew up Southern Baptist, as well. I began practicing Lent when I worked with several Catholic girls. It was important for me to do that with them. That was ten years ago, and I’ve done it every year since. (Though not always successfully.) This year, I’m giving up facebook. On day two, I’m having withdrawal symptoms. When my husband is home for lunch, I’ll have him change my password to remove all temptation.
Thanks so much for this post, Erin! I’ve been struggling with sacrificing time to prayer and reading the Bible for awhile now too, and your words are very encouraging to me 🙂
Erin, this is such a great idea! I work at my church and though we are non-denominational [church of Christ], we were talking about what we would give up during Lent. Even though I work at church and attend on Sunday mornings, I don’t feel as though I give enough of MY time to the Lord. I guess I get consumed in making sure the website has all of our correct information on it or preparing those things needed for the upcoming sermon, seminar or other worship needs. Maybe I should stop griping at my husband for waking me up when he rises much earlier than I to go to work, and spend that time reading a few verses and reflecting.
**Love the blog and so jealous of all of your decorating/party ideas! Never new all those years ago at YMS that you were SUCH a creative person!! Hope you and your growing family are doing well!!