Season of Lent

Every year when Ash Wednesday comes round I try to figure out what I am going to give up for Lent. This is something we have practiced since we have been married and have found to be a challenging and rewarding experience. I have been reading the book "Girl meets God" by Lauren F. Winner. This is her memoir of her conversion from Judaism to Christianity. It is a very interesting and at times funny book. The book is set up according to the church calendar and while reading the "Lent" section I was confronted with some very good thoughts. Here are some quotes I want to share:
"I suppose that is fitting, since the Seder is about the commemorating liberation, and Ash Wednesday inaugurates the season that culminates in the greatest liberation of all, the resurrection of Christ from the dead."
"I want to encourage you to give something that really matters. Something you really love. Something that is hard to do without."
"Would we adhere to our devotions when no one was looking? Were we doing this to impress our friends, or to offer a gift to God? Would we sneak that chocolate bar or Coca-Cola when we were at home alone? Would we be diligent, or would we cheat?"
As you can see these are all good things to think about as I decide what I am going to give up. In the past I have given up things that are a pleasure in my life, but not something that is hard to live without (i.e. facebook, diet coke, pizza..) This year I really want to try and make it more of a sacrificial activity. Something that will truly make me think on a daily basis about the great sacrifice Christ made for me.
If you participate in sacrificing something for Lent, take some time before you begin to think of something that will make the experience as rewarding as possible. It's the least we can do.