Lent and Soda

Image: www.gianteagle.com

I'm Lutheran and for us, it's not required we give something up for Lent. Over the years, I've sometimes given things up but most of the time I don't. But this year, I originally decided to give up soda. Right before Ash Wednesday (which is the start of Lent), I decided to also give up fast food because I was eating far too much of it.

It's been a big pain in the butt - which I suppose is the point. It's not worth giving something up if you don't suffer a little bit without it.

The fast food part isn't a huge deal. I miss it but not like how I miss soda. Oh soda, I wish I could drink you up!

Especially this week, I've been really wanting Vernor's badly. I caught a bug and I've been very nauseous all week. This also gave me a pretty bad migraine because my body hates me. I've been mostly drinking water and V8 Strawberry Lemonade (which I water down because it's too sweet on it's own).

But I can't have water when I'm sick to my stomach, and the lemonade isn't great either. But I will be strong! I will not drink soda or eat fast food until Easter! And even after that, I'm hoping to eat / drink much less of both.

Jesus suffered and died to wash away my sins. Least I can do is give up on a few conveniences for those 40 days.

Ashless Ash Wednesday

Today is Ash Wednesday which marks the start of Lent. Usually my church has two services tonight, and usually Emily and I go. My church does the ashes on the forehead as a reminder that we come from ashes and to ashes we will return.

But with the nasty weather we've been getting and the chance for more snow today, my church decided yesterday to cancel the services tonight. I had been on the fence on trying to go, so I'm glad my decision was made for me.

Emily is a little sad - she loves getting the ashes on her forehead. I'm a little sad too, it's one of my favorite services of the year. It's really a powerful reminder of our mortality to start off Lent. But it's better than trying to drive on roads that may be icy.

Instead, we'll read stories in Emily's Bible and pretend we give each other ashes. All while we stay warm and safe in our house.

Ash Wednesday

Emily's cross from last year

Today is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. I'm Lutheran so we observe Lent and Ash Wednesday.

My church here is the first church I went to that did the ashes on the forehead. My other churches would have a service but that was it. It was a little strange the first year I went but it's a great symbol. I have pictures of Emily with ashes on her forehead from every year she's been alive.

I like Ash Wednesday service. It's a somber reminder that we came from dust and to dust we will return. Lent's a somber season so it's a great beginning.

I remember one year in college, Ash Wednesday fell on my best friend's 21st birthday. We went to the service but then we went out drinking a little. It was a rather surreal day!

For this year, I'll be going to church early for choir practice and then will be going to the service where I'll be singing with the choir. Emily will be with me, of course, so there will be another picture of her tonight with ashes on her forehead.