Lent or Lint?

What do you call the stuff you pull out of the dryer vent, the stuff that collects in your belly button, or the stubborn fiber that covers your favorite black pants which only comes off with a lint brush…or duck tape? Lint, right? Not to be confused with Lent – the religious observance that covers about 6 weeks of time leading up to Resurrection Sunday (Easter Day) (beginning with Ash Wednesday).  I knew a whole lota nuttin’ about Lent up until about 7 years ago. According to Wikipedia (not my usual source when I have questions on religious practices, but it worked this time…), “The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer through prayer, penance, repentance of sins, almsgiving, atonement and self-denial.” A time for fasting. Normally, a Lent Observer will pick one thing to fast from… I have heard of everything from chocolate, sodas, social media, TV, alcohol,  and more. I have been guilty of picking something just for the sake of saying I was doing it, because others were. Not a really solid motive, right?

4 years ago, this blog was started as a Lenten project. I wrote every day…telling my story, specifically how I moved into the inner-city of RVA, just a short 1/2 mile from the largest public housing complex between Baltimore and Atlanta and how I met Louis.  Since then, I also write about our everyday life, what I have learned about God, about myself and about others.  This was a time of sacrifice – because it took time to write EVERY day, and as I recalled the stories, I was regularly reminded about how much God loves me, how he works within the details of my life, how I have grown and changed through the process, and how others are much different than I thought.

This year, I’ve given thought to how I might observe Lent this year. This isn’t a ‘got-to’ but a ‘WANT to’. I’m not approaching it from a legalistic point of view. In the last few months, God has really been teaching me a lot about me…my sin, my trust issues, my fears, and more!  Then, this morning, I read this post…  20 Things to Give Up for Lent. Go ahead and take time to read it!

I thought I would list what I’m giving up, but then I thought, everything I would give up is already on his list.

Fear…

Impatience…

Resentment…

Comparison…

Pride…

Worry…

Doubt…

Unworthiness…

Being critical versus critical thinking…

Lack of trust…

These ring particularly true with me, and something God has already been working with me.  I love how the article wraps it up…

“God has so much more in store for you. But so many of these things above are holding you back from walking in the full destiny he has laid out for you. Today is a new day.”

Just like lint clings to my favorite black pants – making them yucky. Just like lint can clog up a clothes dryer, these things…these sins can clog up my life…making things really ugly.  They keep me from my destiny. As I reflect on the season we are approaching, I don’t think Jesus died on the cross for me to spend time worrying, comparing, impatient, full of doubt.  He died so I can live life…and live it more abundantly! To the fullest!

So, I’m not waiting until Ash Wednesday to give them up.

I’m starting today!

Who else wants to live in freedom?