What are you wiling to give up for lent?

While driving in my car listening to the radio the announcer asked her listeners to tweet or Facebook what they are wiling to give up for Lent; after all it is Lent! So the first responder had this to say: “I am wiling to give up 15 to 20 of my future years so that I can eat my candy and crispy pata (pork rinds) today.” 

An initial chuckle is understandable but it would / should quickly be followed by a proper response like: “I can’t believe someone would really say that and mean it!”

Let’s do this exercise: I suggest you repeat that statement to yourself 10 times and get the true and more correct feeling in the pit of your belly that recognizes how seriously wrong that statement can be. How seriously sinister or devastating it is for someone to be that cavalier about their health; and what about this fantastic body that God created for you to live a meaningful life? We have an awesome responsibility to care for our body.

All I can say to the person who said that or anyone who agreed with that statement: “Shame on you for even thinking that is reasonable.”  Furthermore, if you just said “ouch or aray” to yourself, GOOD, there is still a chance you will get it.

Now… tell us what you are really willing to give up for lent? ____________

On a lighter note, I have this to share for the more sober minded people. For Lent 2016 why not give up something along a different track – which one is your favorite?

Give up complaining———————-focus on gratitude.
Give up pessimism————————become an optimist.
Give up harsh judgements—————think kindly thoughts.
Give up worry—————————–trust Devine Providence.
Give up discouragement—————–be full of hope.
Give up bitterness————————turn to forgiveness.
Give up hatred—————————-return good for evil.
Give up negativism———————–be positive.
Give up anger——————————be more patient.
Give up pettiness————————-become mature.
Give up gloom—————————-enjoy beauty that is all around.
Give up jealousy————————–pray for trust.
Give up gossiping————————-control your tongue.
Give up sin———————————-return to virtue.
Give up giving up————————–hang in there!

Yours in Real Life,
docMIKE