Bye Bye Chocolate

I have never given anything up for Lent before.  To be honest, I have never really understood the whole concept and didn't take the time to learn more about it.  Our church is doing a Lent blog and encouraged us to sign up to follow it and to consider giving something up for Lent.

So I did some thinking and on the way home from church I told Michael I thought I would give up hot chocolate.  His response, "Really?"  He knows how much I love hot chocolate.  I  felt that was something I could give up fairly easily.  Key word: easily.  I said to Michael, "It's not like I'm giving up chocolate or anything - that would be crazy!"  

Once home, I went online and signed up for the blog.  I also read all the information they shared about Lent to get a better understanding. I'm probably the only person who didn't truly know what Lent was all about, but the purpose is to deny yourself something and instead of indulging or spending time doing that you are to give your time and attention to God by praying, reading the Bible, etc.

I thought long and hard and decided that if I really wanted to spend more time in prayer, I should aim high and give up chocolate.

(gasp!)

For 40 days!?

(double gasp!)  

I'll be honest, part of me thought I was nuts.  Part of me still thinks I am nuts. Yet another part of me knows I am nuts and just embraces it.

I am female.  I am in midlife.  At this point in my life chocolate is its own food group.  Giving it up will not be easy.

So beginning today I am going to stay away from chocolate for 40 days,  as far away as possible.  It will take a lot of praying to accomplish this.  

I guess that is the whole purpose of Lent. 

God sacrificed much more.