Thursday, February 21, 2008

a Lenten update from the breadless rj

After Ash Wednesday, I declared my decision to give up bread for Lent. As I posted in my original blog re. Lent, it was not an easy decision, but that's why I made it. I wanted to see what sacrifice was about, and if I could handle a sliver of what Jesus sacrificed when he spent 40 days and nights in the desert, grieving over His Father's plan for Him.

Because I admittedly love bread more than the average person, I have been surprised not to suffer that much from my lack of bread. Yes, it has been tough -- particularly when I smell wafting foccacia scents and see delightful pasta dishes. I wavered once at a friend's shower when I tried the cake, but have otherwise stuck to my guns.

The 40 days, however, are definitely not up. I still have many more pizzas to walk by, sandwiches to forego, ice cream servings to put in a bowl instead of a cone, and Taco Bell orders to eat off the tortillas, not with the tortillas.
But so far, the purpose has been fulfilled. The redhead is learning a bit about sacrifice (though it's only a slight bit).

Point taken.



3 Comments - 4 Kudos

I am so proud of you for making this decision and selecting such an item you enjoy as your sacrifice. YEAH!
Posted by Shannon on February 28, 2008 - Thursday 7:11 PM

I always find the sacrifice so hard, but so valuable... it is hard to imagine the sacrifice that Christ went through. I feel like there is nothing I could give up that would ever compare... and that is my lame & hypocritical way of avoiding it all together. However, this season I have decided to give up cursing... which I'm sad to admit is a very terrible habit of mine and I was surprised to learn at just how must I must have because I am catching myself. When I give something up, though... I try to give up something permanently... so, if I succeed... this will be a good thing. For me, giving up bread would be even harder I think... lol!
Posted by Susan on March 10, 2008 - Monday 8:01 PM

Thursday, February 7, 2008

a Southern Baptist’s crack at Lent

I am giving up bread for the Lenten season.

Those who know me well might ask yourselves, "Why would a Southern Baptist girl give up anything for Lent?"

Well, in the midst of all this Catholicism over here in the BR, and especially during the Mardi Gras season, I have become much more aware of the meanings of these things, and since my friends here are making sacrifices in honor of the sacrifice Jesus made for us, I thought, "I might could do that, too."

So far, I am on Day 2 and I have only had one Subway sandwich. (That was yesterday, when the Subway Sandwich Artist told me she could not make me a salad. What else was I to do? Tonight, however, I managed to eat around the rice in my leftovers, which I considered a huge practice of discipline.)

The second question you may ask yourself is, "Why bread?"

I can understand the puzzlement, because when my coworker Shannon brought it up as her sacrifice, I laughed myself silly at her. I was like, "No way would I give up bread! Pasta! Cookies! Crackers! Bagels?!"

But then I started thinking about it beyond my surface level and realized that would represent a TRUE sacrifice for me. (I do love my bread.)

So there you have it. Pray for me.



Currently watching : Lost - The Complete Third SeasonRelease date: By 11 December, 2007

6 Comments - 7 Kudos

From one bread lover to another...Godspeed!
Posted by Bethanie on February 7, 2008 - Thursday 7:22 PM

Boy, do I understand. No one here has ever really understood when I try to do this each year. But, I am a Catholic out of water over here in Big Baptist, Mississippi. I always try to give up Cokes, but usually fail by day 3 or 4. This year, I'm giving up french fries. Yep - I said it! French fries, baby! ....eh, we'll see how it goes. Hopefully more than the standard 4 days :)
Posted by Skye on February 7, 2008 - Thursday 9:16 PM

i've done this before as a southern baptist. chocolate was my sacrifice. it gives you a feeling of overwhelming accomplishment. hang in there.
Posted by monica on February 8, 2008 - Friday 6:55 AM

You will be happy to know that I too have given up a few things for Lent:
1) Liver
2) Goat cheese
3) The worm in the tequila
4) Raw red meat
5) And last but not least, moldy bread
I knew you would be proud of me!
Posted by Greg Mo on February 15, 2008 - Friday 9:14 PM