Lent has arrived! The children and I went to mass on Ash Wednesday and got our ashes to kick off the season. Father Ignatius told us that "carnival" comes from the Latin, carne vale - or goodbye to the meat. Carnival now has come to mean any manner of party. Also, Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday" (before Ash Wednesday) is the day to load up on sweets and meats while you can. In the UK they have "Shrove Tuesday" which I have no idea about the term Shrove but it might have something to do with pancakes as they eat a lot of pancakes on that day every year.So, the kids thought about what to give up and Aaron decided he'd like to give up showers! Well obviously that would get a bit smelly around the boat and also it wouldn't be much of a sacrifice as he doesn't like baths anyway. After a bit of prayer he decided to give up sugar-free chocs - which may not seem that great at first but when you consider he doesn't have regular sweeties ever anymore because of sugar problems AND sugar free chocs are his only treats (bless him)- it's a big sacrifice. Abigail decided to give up her Kindle. Which she only uses at the weekend but usually from the moment she wakes on a Saturday morn until bedtime Sunday night you can find her in her cabin, on her Kindle, playing various dress up and make-up apps much to my chagrin.
Justin is joining us this year and given up eating out at restaurants. Hmmm, he just said a couple of weeks ago that eating out was costing us a lot of tom! BUT he added that whatever we save by not eating out, he will donate to the Church on Easter Sunday when he will be attending with us! WOW now that is good!
I have given up my much loved, but unhealthy habit, of diet coke and movie night popcorn/snacks. I could very easily have given up shaving my legs too but Justin would have objected I think. I have given up on a bit of vanity though. No make-up except face powder. So I may look scarier to the world but I just smile more to make up for it.
Abstaining from meat is being observed by all of us for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday as well as all the Fridays of Lent. Not that the rest of em have much choice as I am the cook. Fasting can only be observed by myself as the kids are too young and Justin got a doctor's note. Fasting was a toughy because I still had to prepare and serve breaky, lunch, dinner and snacks all the day on Wednesday! I am weak so I said many a prayer each time I trudged to the galley to make yet another tasty snack for someone else. The prayers worked because I have no will power normally. God is good. Honestly, I caught my reflection in the sliding door and was amazed that I didn't look as hollow as I felt. Still it was good for me and God saw me through it and I feel we can tackle the next 6 weeks together.
I actually love giving up something for Lent. Jesus died for our sins and no matter what we offer to give up this Lent, puny as it may be, He knows we do it out of love and I know He loves us for it.
