Lent

Just curious to know how many of you participate in Lent? Growing up, I never heard it discussed much. It does seem to be taught more in the Catholic churches than the Protestants but I don't know why that is. I did hear it taught more in one church I went to and was interested in it. I like the idea of giving up something to draw closer to God during this time leading up to Easter and to concentrate on Him more and the sacrifices He did for us.
Does anyone else on here do something for Lent, and if it's not too personal, what are some of the things you've done in the past? Every year I say I'm going to do something and a lot of times I forget. I know I need to concentrate on the Lord all year long, not just certain times of the year but I want to understand Lent more.
If there's anyone who can give me a little lesson on Lent and what it means to them, I'd love to hear it!

[babypooh]

For me, it's a time to reflect on the hard times and temptations Jesus faced in the desert. I have in the past given up meat during the whole forty days. But for the most part, we only avoid meat on Fridays and all the days on holy week.
It's a time of more prayer and fasting. I get more emotional during these times.

[Happy2girls]

Hey April, today after I pick my daughter up from school we'll be getting our ashes.  When I was very young I used to give things up like candy or ice cream or I would try to not fight with my brothers or sisters.  Now I choose to do things like pray more or be more patient and thankful.  For me Lent is the perfect opportunity to consciously act the way I should always act.  I think it's more important to "do" positive things rather than to "give up" material things.      

[April2]

Happy2girls, I thought your way of participating in Lent was interesting, and then I came across this just today from my Guidepost online:

"Sabra's blog:
Last week, browsing the local thrift store, I was thinking about what I'd give up for Lent when I saw a jar of old buttons.  The buttons were different colors, sizes and styles and although I had absolutely no idea what I would do with them, I had to have them.

Paying $1.50, I carried the jar home. As I walked through the door, my sons, Solomon and Henry, came close to investigate my purchase. I handed the jar to Solomon.

“Go ahead, spread them on the table,” I said.  His eyes widened. Dumping out the jar, a flood of buttons emerged, some antique, some plastic, some even shaped like flowers. Solomon ran his fingers over them.

“They're better together in the jar than on any shirt," he said. It was true, by themselves the buttons might have been insignificant, but together they were brilliant.

That’s when it came to me, instead of thinking about what I'm going to give up for Lent, I could think about adding things. Small gestures that will help my connection with God and nurture my relationships with others, revisit things that maybe I've given up on, or thought I had no use for, things that can bring beauty and love.

Today I’m going to reach out to a friend I haven’t called in almost a year. To think, some old buttons could help me  to mend relationships, to love."
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What a wonderful idea! Instead of giving up something to do something positive.

[alikat1205]

I will be going to Mass daily.

[crabby70]

I think that is great idea to do positive instead of give up.....I going try to do more positive things with my family....

[mikesimon]

It looks like maybe people gave up MH social for lent. That must be tough.
Mike

[April2]

Lol, now that WOULD be a hard one to give up! Lol

[babypooh]

I'm sure that would be a real sacrifice, LOL Why even try? We'd set ourselves up for failure within hours, he he.