Lent

Since Lent started I've been trying to figure out what to "give up".  In past years I haven't given up anything but focused more on doing good or bettering myself.  This year I read or heard somewhere (I wish I could remember) the whole reasoning for giving up something.  You'd think I would know this right?  Sacrifice.  Sacrifice something you love, something you like and enjoy.  Mmmm.  Sacrifice.  Ok.  I can do that.

So I've been thinking of what to give up during Lent.  What do I like so much that I'm willing to sacrifice it?  I thought and thought and nothing... until I remembered that just a last week I went out at 11pm to buy my favorite cereal (who does that?).  I had been craving it for days and gosh darn it I was going to have me some.  You'll laugh when you find out what it is-- Cocoa Pebbles.  I'm addicted to it!  Its my go-to snack.  If I have some bananas nearby I'll cut some up and add it to my bowl and its even more delicious.  So I thought... well, I could give up Cocoa Pebbles but wait, I'm addicted to it so maybe I really shouldn't give it up.  I mean its really good.  But hey, isnt' that the whole point? 

Another day went by and I thought... darn.  That's what I should give up.  Now that's pretty big because I am a HUGE, HUGE chocoholic.  A few days later I was out with hubby, baby and bro-in-law at a home show.  We came by a stand with tons of homemade chocolate.  I was in heaven!  I got some and ate them like there was no tomorrow--shameless I know.  Then, I thought, thank goodness I didn't give up chocolate because I really, really love chocolate.  Hmmmm.  The Holy Spirit must have working extra hard because I thought-- gee, maybe I should give up chocolate, period.  Whoah, Pat.  What are you thinking?  Give up chocolate?  Until Easter?  Ha!!  I really, really, really love chocolate and couldn't possibly give it up ... guess what?  I've given up chocolate.  It was really hard to come to that decision but I really felt that the big guy upstairs was working on me.  I think He wants me to know what its like to make this type of decision, to sacrifice something I love.  I really believe I am being taught something that I've had a hard time with and that is sacrifice.  Well, here I go.  On this rainy/snowy day when a good piece of chocolate or a bowl of Cocoa Pebbles with some warm milk will do just right... I think I'll go read a book instead.