Feb. 15, 2013

Colossians 3:24

Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Sometimes during Lent, people give up something. I wrote yesterday about this. While there can be great value in this, I think there is another way to approach Lent.

Add something. Take the next 40 days as an opportunity to do that something you’ve been meaning or wanting to do for a long time. Make this the time to read your bible daily. Or focus on really developing a time to pray. Or select a form of service to do for the next 40 days.

Last year, I challenged folks from the church I serve to think of something they could do for the next 40 days. Volunteer at the school one day a week, phone someone daily, babysit for an overwhelmed mom with young kids. Maybe you can’t do it every day of Lent, but designate when and how you will do this.

My neighbor, Tina, decided to write 40 cards to 40 different people last year. I received her last card, the Saturday before Easter. She wrote personal words of encouragement in my card. I’m trusting she did this for the other 39 people also. Earlier this week, Tina asked me for a few names of children to round out her list of 40. She is going to send cards to 40 Midland kids this year. What a great idea!

Yes, Lent has begun. But you can still do a 40 for 40 this Lent. Remember you have those extra Sundays which aren’t counted in the 40! What might you do as a 40 for 40 this Lent?

As much as we value and appreciate Christ’s sacrifice, maybe giving up something is hard for us to do.  Maybe what makes more sense is adding something we can do to help others this Lent. Clearly share with me how I might complete a 40 for 40 this Lent. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne