Lent

I was reading through our church bulletin this weekend and there is a quote in there regarding Lent that I would like to share. "Sometimes giving up chocolate or movies is easier than letting go of a grudge or tearing down a wall that is separating family or friends. The second will be more satisfying."

I wish more people would take this advice. There is a Bible verse (I cannot remember it exactly) but it says something to the tune of: God will treat you, as you have treated the least of your enemies. In other words if you act hateful or unforgiving towards someone, you will be treated the same way. If you judge someone or count their shortcomings instead of just loving them, you will be treated that way too.

I have struggled with this in the past. Why should I love someone who has hurt me? Why should I forgive someone who has done something considered to be "unforgivable?" Do I really want to be friendly with someone if I feel like everyone else is judging me for being friendly towards that person? What if it hurts my "reputation" or makes me "look bad?" I have certainly said some negative things about other people because I felt them at the time and because it was the "popular" opinion at the time. I have done and said negative things out of frustration, anger and impatience and definitely out of not being able to wrap my head around why someone is the way that they are.

But the thing that has helped me to really find peace in the past 6 months or so is fully understanding that above everything else....above being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend....I am a Christian. As a Christian, it is not my place to judge anyone. I must admit that occassionaly a judgemental thought crosses my mind or comes out of my mouth. But I am more consience of that now and I try to remind myself when I say or think such things, "Every human life is a gift from God. If you judge someone, you have no time to love them."

It is true that there are people who could be considered "evil" in this world - drug abuses, gang bangers, people who hurt innocent children or abuse responsibility to the Nth degree. That just brings to mind though that the devil is real too and that people who are not concentrating on doing the right thing can be persuaded to act un-christianlike.

The past several weeks we have been reminded at church to let go of the things of this earth. Our purpose in life is to be a good Christian. God will take care of us if we honor Him and act in His likeness. God reminds us that above all the other commandments "Love each other as I have loved you." I think that Lent is a good time to reflect on this thought, to spend some time each day in prayer and asking God for help to be a better person. If there are people in your life that you look towards with disdain, think about them. Concentrate on them. Realize that God loves them just as much as He loves you. Realize that although they may have made unpopular choices, hurt their reputation, or done something that has caused a break in a personal relationship, it is not your job to judge them. It is your job to love them as God has loved you. Lent is a time to break down barriers, take down walls, clear your conscience. Listen to the little angel on your shoulder instead of the little devil. Do the right thing even if you feel like it is IMPOSSIBLE or difficult or heartwrenching. Concentrate on the good. Be thankful that you were made in God's likeness and that you have been given free will. See this as an opportunity to be more like God and show love towards others. A little love can really go a long way.

So this Lent, I plan to spend some time in prayer. I hope that I will become a better person. Giving up desserts or cheese may be "difficult" for me to do because it fills a craving I have, but in the end, those things do not make me a better person. I may lose a couple of pounds, but my soul will still be in the same shape it is in now. Although I strive to lose weight and be healthy, I know that I will NEVER be healthy if my soul is not healthy. I could weigh 125lbs or 325lbs. Neither matters if at my core I am not the best person that I can be with a clear conscience and a healthy soul.

Because I believe that my life is a gift from God and because I know that God made me, just as He made everyone else, in His likeness, it is time for me to continue and concentrate on my journey of being a better Christian. I hope that once Easter arrives, I will feel ready to celebrate.