Posted by Pamela Hammonds

What did you give up for Lent?

My sister Amy called me last week and mentioned she had given up wine for Lent. We’re Baptists and I don’t remember practicing the act of doing without something for the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. But I think it’s a great idea. Her children go to a Catholic school and she joined the other HAMs (Holy Angels Mothers) in an act of solidarity.

I have given up something for Lent the past two years. Last year it was tea (and I drink A LOT of it) and the year before it was chocolate. Ever try eating chocolate chip cookie dough and bypassing the chips? Not easy, but it can be done. When I gave up tea last year, I found myself drinking a Coke for my sugar/caffeine fix. It felt a little like cheating. So this year, I decided a true sacrifice had to hurt. I gave up tea AND Coke. And I really can salivate just driving by a Sonic and thinking about one of their fountain Cokes—with easy-ice. (Excuse me while I wipe my chin.)

It hasn’t been too bad. Had a killer headache the first day, but now I’m good. I’ve been drinking a lot of water which I should do anyway. How about you? Give up anything for Lent? It’s not too late to join me in the spirit of true camaraderie.
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Wila said…
This is my fifth year to give up something for Lent. For the past two years I gave up wine and only found it difficult at parties or friend's homes. Since my husband and I have two wine tasting tours planned soon I knew that would not work. So I have given up coffee. Every morning I sleep walk to my coffee maker and see my "Mom's Are Purrrrfect" cup(no one gave it to me, I snagged it at a Christmas exchange)sitting upside down on it and then ask the Lord to get me through one more day. I'm sure my kids and husband were saying the same prayer the first two days of Lent. Not as brave as you, I still drink tea. I miss coffee too much to miss caffeine as well.
February 14, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Anonymous said…
As the sister who gave it up, I'm finding it's not so bad. The HAMs and I got together to have dinner and then see a local production of HAIR (yes, complete with nudity) last Saturday night. We met at Rosemary's for take-out, and then got to the "theater" to find the show had filled up - no more seats! Now what do we do? Where do we go? No one wanted to go home, as it was only 8:00. Since we couldn't go just anywhere for "drinks", we went to a coffee shop and sat and talked for two hours. Still a blast when you're with your friends.

Amy
February 14, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Elizabeth said…
In the spirit, I, too have decided to give up something, however this year, my neighbor and I twisted it. We decided that we would sacrifice in a different way by committing to exercise AT LEAST 30 minutes a day. I will say we started out really well, but by Sunday we were forced by church and other activities to abandon that practice. Monday we were back on it, but I think our commitment begane to wane. The week has now ended with failure due to appointments pre-scheduled during the week. 30 minutes - that's not much to ask, however it has proven to be a hard one to accomplish. And now it's off on vacation for a few days tomorrow. I wonder if I'll get in my minutes while away? I know one day skiing will count for something! Good luck to all.
February 14, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Anonymous said…
I think I will give up Liver for Lent, and while I'm at it I will give up Oysters and Pimento spread. I smell success in my near future!

Jennifer
February 14, 2008 at 10:06 PM
Pamela Hammonds said…
The whole idea behind giving up something for Lent or changing something in your routine is to parallel the sacrifice Jesus made by giving us his life for our sins. If it doesn't hurt, don't do it. Obviously He made the extreme sacrifice. If you look up the definition of Lent (if you click on "Lent" in my original post, it will send you to Wikipedia), when you calculate the 40 days between Ash Wed. and Easter, Sundays are excluded. So technically, you can indulge on Sundays. I'm not because it will make Monday that much harder.
February 15, 2008 at 7:41 AM
Anonymous said…
Sorry, Jennifer. My sister said I sounded a bit bitchy and I think I did. I'm sure it's the caffeine withdrawls.

lala
February 19, 2008 at 6:59 PM
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