Week 3 of Lent

I ended up slacking off last weeks challenge. I had attempted eating just 7 foods but that just didn’t work for me. Because I’m lazy? Selfish? Not sure if I have an answer for that. Just plain didn’t want to I suppose. I like to eat. And I like to go out to eat.
So, this week’s challenge is to change the way I spend my time, eat, dress, etc. to reflect my passions. So I decided I’d do the “7” challenge for dress by wearing only 7 different pieces of clothing this week. My choices for this week will be: jeans, gray shoes, p.j. bottoms, Africa t-shirt, gray striped longsleeve shirt, lightweight blue jacket, and Mickey longsleeve shirt. Underclothes are considered free. I don’t want to remove my pierced jewelry in case the holes close up--is that cheating?
How does this relate to my passions? Well, I’m passionate about the poor and needy. Though I realize many people in developing nations don’t even have 7 pieces of clothing to their name, I’m going to try doing without a lot. I’ve been trying to rid my life of “things” and live more simply but it’s not always easy in a society like ours that more means a better life or happier, etc. I’m not one to buy a new wardrobe every season. I own 1 pair of pants and 2 pairs of shoes (besides my slippers). Well, no, 3 counting my hiking boots. I can’t really imagine what it is like to wear rags and only 2 sets for that matter. What clothes do I have that I truly need and which ones do I have just because.
Now, my eating for the week. I decided to forgo something different each day. Many people around the world don’t have the luxury of going to the grocery store each time they are out of something. For that matter, they don’t have the money to buy something extra. The other day I wanted something sweet, since I was giving up chocolate. So I bought my Red Vines and Hot Tamales. Do people really get the chance to do that in a 3rd world country? Any time they please? So for Monday I decided to just eat fruit. I started the morning off with a fruit smoothie. I made it that far. Can I go the entire day? Hope so. I made it.
Day 2 I gave up sweets--candy, cookies, cake, etc. But was that really fair since I don’t always have those things anyway? Well, day 2 ended my week for changing my eating.
But, it’s Sunday and I went the whole week using just 7 articles of clothing. However, I did wash some of them once during the week. Most people in the poorer nations would have done them by hand, I had the luxury of a washer and dryer.
So did any of this matter or do any good? Well, for me, it was a prompt--a reminder--to pray for those in need.

Lent and Sacrifice Revisited

I did spend a little time trying to decide what I could/should give up during Lent. I felt chocolate was a good thing to let go of for at least 40 days. I was doing okay but yesterday I was having some cravings, or withdrawals. I did mess up when Carey made a little individual chocolate cake and wanted me to taste it. I wasn't even thinking and took a bite (my confession) though it was probably 1/4 teaspoon.
Another thing I challenged myself with was the "7" challenges in Jen Hatmaker's book. The topics I mentioned in my "Lent" blog. Instead of spending a month on each goal, I'd spend a week. So last week was giving away 7 things each day for 7 days. How did I do? Don't ask! I did bag up several items but I haven't got the other things ready. Plus, I'm trying to find a local group that can use them. This week's topic is food. I chose 7 foods and that's all I can eat. The foods I chose are: peanut butter, whole wheat bread, oatmeal, carrots, apples, flour tortillas and beans and water is free. How did I do on day one? Well, the oatmeal pretty much made me gag. Since I couldn't use any type of sweetener, I shredded up some apples to mix in. Ummm, it didn't really help. Then for lunch, I had a bean burrito but cheated by having a little cheese on it. (I really didn't need to do that.) Then tonight I had 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter. Another confession, Jim brought me a Vitamin Water and without thinking I took a drink. Okay, so today didn't go so well.
The challenge from Relentless Act:s of Sacrifice was to sacrifice our living (or work) space to remind us of what is important, what we're passionate about, reminders. So I've done that with my sitting/classroom. I've put up pictures of street children in Africa, pictures and posters of verses for the poor, how Jesus wants us to fast, the hungry, lack of clean water, malaria, etc.
This second week of sacrifice is about the food we eat. So many countries live on less than $2 a day. They can barely feed their families. As political crisis continue, food prices escalate. (As in Madagascar.) Change the way you eat and the information you consume. Kind of goes along with the "7" challenge for this week.
I hope that you are drawing close to the Lord during these days before we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior.
I will keep you posted on my challenges. I think I can do more.