Lent. Giving something up?

Around this time of year, many feel the pressure to "give up" something for Lent.  Many people like to post it on FB, or give something up, just to say they did it.  I've done some thinking about this.  I don't want to give something up just so I can post it on FB and feel better about myself.  Isn't the real reason we "give up" something so that we can then spend our time refocusing our hearts on the seriousness of this season?  Sure, I could give up Facebook.  But to be brutally honest, I don't know if instead of reaching for my phone to check FB randomly throughout the day, if I would actually reach for my Bible instead.  Of course, I should, but I don't want to set myself up for something that will cause more stress or pressure on me that I'm not sure I can actually achieve.  I think that would kind of defeat the purpose wouldn't it?  I could give up candy, or TV (which I hardly ever watch anyways), or soda (that would be the easy-way out since I've already given that up).  But really, truly, what will help me focus my heart on what's most important during the Easter season?

So this year for Lent, I'm not giving anything physical up.  I'm making a choice.  I'm choosing to see the positive in all situations, to keep negativity and judgments inside, to pray for God to make me more like him each and every day.  I'm a sinner, and I know I've been freed by the blood of Christ.  Focusing on eliminating judgment and negativity will make me feel more challenged to be like Jesus than giving up FB or candy or soda ever will.

In order to keep me accountable in this adventure, I'm going to keep a gratitude journal.  I'll record 3 blessings in my life each day, focusing on things I already "have" and being content and satisfied in my life.  Part of my inspiration has come from a sermon series we just finished up at church regarding being satisfied and avoiding the consumer-driven hungers of today's society.  I want to share my journey with all of you, so I'll be blogging my thoughts every day.  I'm hoping to capture some of these blessings in photos and just being real about my life.  I'm not perfect.  I'm a sinner who is sometimes a crabby mom, an impatient wife, a bad friend, a judger of myself.  However, I acknowledge these faults and give thanks that I've been saved and renewed by Christ my Savior.  His blood has washed me clean and my mercies are new every morning.  This is something I want to celebrate.

I've been hoping to blog more in 2014 and use my "real" camera instead of my phone all of the time, so I'm hoping this Lent season will help me stay focused on my goals, too.  I know I'm not all caught up in my blog posts from the past few months, but I'll keep working on that, I promise.  But for now, you know where my heart is.  I pray that whatever you choose to do for Lent, that you can say it really helps you focus on the sacrifice Christ made for all of us.