Lent

Lent: the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter observed by the Roman Catholic, Eastern and some Protestant churches as a period of penitence and fasting. (a period of fasting and regret for one's sins that is observed on the 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday to Easter by many churches) (Webster's online dictionary)

I've never fully participated in Lent. I may have given up something at one time or another for Lent, however, I really don't remember if it had much meaning for me.
Last year I half-heartedly took part in World Visions Act:s ReLentless Acts of Justice--mainly sharing the stories sent to me on Facebook. I do feel fairly strongly about injustice issues and I want others to be aware. Not everyone lives in a world of rainbows and lollipops. There is much suffering around the world as well as in our own country. If I can bring awareness to just one person, it's worth taking a little time to advocate. Of course this gave me a focused time of prayer for these issues, but was it really considered Lent for me?
So, what am I going to sacrifice for Lent this year? Well, I told myself yesterday morning I would give up chocolate and XXX Vitamin Water--both items I feel I am addicted to. So what did I do at Target? I walked down the Valentine's clearance aisle and found chocolate kisses (my all time favorites) for 70% off. Score! They were small boxes with 6 kisses each at only 10c a box. What a bargain! And what goes better with candy than a bottle of vitamin water? Well, that idea went over like a lead balloon. So what will I do with 1/2 bottle of XXX now and 4 candy kisses?
Another idea came as I read a new book: 7: AN EXPERIMENTAL MUTINY AGAINST EXCESS, written by Jen Hatmaker. Along the lines of David Platt's RADICAL, Jen decides to spend 7 months ridding her life of material possessions, using less, or giving up a few things. She would spend one month on each of the 7 topics: clothes, shopping, waste, food, possessions, media and stress. So I thought I'd try the same challenge for 7 weeks (a little longer than Lent but that's okay). The only trouble, I'm not quite ready, I want to read a little more.
In the meantime, this years W.V. Act:s challenge is ReLentless Sacrifice which actually fits nicely with the "7" challenge.
I'll let you know how it goes.

Isaiah 58 (read the entire chapter if you have a few minutes)
vs. 5-10 "Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself? Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed and for lying on sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord?
"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
"Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter--when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
"Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
"Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.