"What Are You Giving Up for Lent?"

It's a question I've been asked for over 35 years. In grade school, it's a chance to connect with your peers and engage in a little spiritual one-upsmanship. "You're giving up chocolate? I'm giving up all sweets." Of course, then you're obligated and all your classmates are watching.

As a college kid, it was my chance to shun my faith. "Aw, that's hokey. Nobody does that anymore. I think it's more important to live your faith every day, not just during Lent." And that was the jump-off point for forgetting my faith entirely.

As a revert, I've taken the question as a chance to instruct by answering, "You know, sometimes Lent isn't about giving up things, sometimes it's about taking on new spiritual obligations." I have found in the south that in the last five years, the protestants are getting into this self-denial biz. It really does make Easter an especially good time of jubilation after the gray, thorny self-denial that accompanies a life following Jesus, taking up one's cross.

One year, I gave up nagging. You'll have to ask Dave what he thought of it. One year, I decided that my Lenten obligation was to say "Yes!" to whatever God presented that season. It was all well and good until a couple nefarious folks heard about it and wheedled a Yes! out of me to rejoin a group at Church. Last year, I gave up clutter around the house for Lent and that has carried on pretty well.

This year, I am embarassed to say what I'm giving up, so I shan't. I'm also slated to do a couple big projects--taxes and blog maintenance/editing throughout Lent. I'd love to read what this year's Lent holds for you.