I Give Up

I was really surprised a few weeks ago, because my daughter Vicky announced that she was giving up chocolate for Lent! Surprised because she has never really taken much notice of Lent previously, and because I know that chocolate is really lovely, and it's really hard to give up!

I suspect most people will associate Lent with giving things up – which is really handy after Christmas and St. Valentine’s day, and having had too much to eat – especially chocolate. So taking oneself in hand, and having a kind of detox of your system, slimming down and eating healthily is a good idea.

The trouble with this, as with much in today’s society, is that it's still all about ME – my diet, my healthy lifestyle, my fitness regime. Rather of being a healthy break from our usual self-absorption at Christmas and Easter – Lent can become just more of the same – although less fattening.

“I give up!” I hear you say. Exactly – I think in Lent we need to give up in a more radical way. Let's give up focusing on ourselves, and instead focus on God and on other people.

We could focus more on God in a quiet time each day. Maybe just 5 minutes as a start – turn off the TV and reflect on the beauty of creation, listen to the sounds of the garden, thank God for all that you have. Lift up people you love to God in prayer and ask God to bless them.

We can focus on other people by calling family members or friends that have drifted out of touch; we can help a neighbour, or just say good morning and share a smile with people we pass.

As with last year, the Christian Aid programme ‘Count your blessings’ is a creative way to pray for, and give to, the work of Christian Aid. From Ash Wednesday to Easter there are some simple daily actions and reflections to help us have a meaningful Lent.” These all focus our attention to those who have less than us - you can go online to find more information at ‘www.christianaid.org.uk/lent’.

So, I hope you have a good time spiritually, focusing on God and others, and may God bless you.