Earlier this week Mark Batterson wrote this blog challenge. Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. My tradition has never observed Lent so please don’t think this is just a “oh he observes Lent and so he has to find something to give up” kind of post. On the contrary, because I have never been a proponent of Lent, it is not something I am entering into lightly. Several years ago I challenged the church I pastor to give up something for Lent. I can remember one family gave up eating out (can you imagine the money one might save?) Another gave up beer while his wife gave up cigarettes. I gave up both chocolate and caffeine (namely Diet Dr. Pepper). I was able to find Caffeine Free Diet Dr. Pepper and when that was not available I hit on pop like Root Beer or something like that. I have since that time reverted back to both. 🙂 I had been giving this whole giving up thing a thought or two and after Mark’s blog challenge I decided I needed to do something. So…here it is! I am giving up all pop. You heard that right all POP. ALL POP! Emphasis on ALL (just in case you missed it). Oh btw: that is soda for those of you who are not from this area of the country. As for what I am adding I am still thinking about that. Somehow I don’t think adding more cycling is quite what Mark had in mind. Although…..
Do you observe Lent in any way? Do you make any “vows” to give something up for that period of time? What about this time? Can we check in on each other occasionally? Let me know what you are thining.
Bill,
I don’t do lent, but I do New Year Resolutions. Remember my 3-4 year potato chip fast! Since Jan. 1st this year–no ice cream–yikes that’s terrible. Not certain how long I will hold out. Maybe till my summer ride across GA–riding 70 miles and eating ice cream seems to go together very, very well. I’m sure you agree.
Just thought I would put in my 2 cents today–my fast day, which seems to be going rather SLOW today.
Paul
Bill…I gave giving up for Lent.
Did so years ago.
So, now, do I need to do more of that giving up for Lent?
Paul: Good to hear from you! I remember that fast. It inspired me to do the same and I gave up chips and fries for 7 years. If I keep having oral surgery there will be a lot of things I will give up but not necessarily voluntarily. Ice cream? I haven’t been convicted of that one yet! 😉 Thanks for dropping by.
Steve: Nope I think you have a handle on it. 🙁 Least I think so. I didn’t do anything last year so this year decided to. many are giving up blogging. Hey with that happening maybe you and I and some others can rule the world! 🙂
And we will get more than 10 people a day to visit our site!
Wow…the world may be coming to an end!
Well, it was a nice thought but you are probably right.
I did give up caff., something like 18 years ago…does that count? I want to fit in Bill…
18 years! Wow! Sounds like it was more lasting than just giving something up for 40 days.
Bill,
I dont give things up for Lent either. However i did give up caffeine and in May it will be 7 years. Some days i want to give in, but caffeine was my ” drug ” of choice and i fear i would go wild after just one.
Jason: I remember when you gave that up. Good for you! Like Steve that is more lasting than a 40 day thing. I would hate to see you go wild. 🙂