Ash Wednesday

For those who observe it, I hope you had a blessed one. I did.

I mostly ignored it. I bad, I know. But it's the same old same old "from ashes you came, to ashes you will return", with somber depressing music and way too many people. I had shrimp and crab cakes for dinner. Wonder if I can talk hubby into lobster tomorrow.

Funny how lenten foods are forbidden to Jews (shellfish, sea-bottom dwellers). I wonder what whale and dolphin taste like. Is turtle lenten? It doesn't have hoofs. Snake? Alligator? Probably not rabbit or squirrel.

I celebrated Mardi Gras. Found dark M&Ms with peanuts.

I had a steak burger for dinner, Julie. No seafood.

Anyway, our Lenten theme is more 'take up a task' rather than 'give up a pleasure'.

I'm still working on what I shall take up as a challenge or sacrifice. It may mean being nice to people for a change ... that usually brings me out in a rash.

We're supposed to do something that brings us closer to God, whether it's giving up something or doing something extra. Fridays during Lent are no-meat days, with very specific definitions of meats. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are no-meat days and fast days.

I haven't decided if I'm going to observe Lent. I had a roommate who gave up caffeine. I didn't like her much for the first couple of weeks. She made it through all 7 weeks.

I could give up my meds. Save me a bundle, if I don't end up in the ER. Dying would certainly bring me closer to God.

*waits for lightning to strike*

This "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" ritual at church was something I really needed to hear (even though I've heard it many times). It really helped remind me of the expression "you can't take it with you." We're all going to die eventually, and the physical stuff (whether it be our bodies or the material things we accumulate, etc.) won't matter in the end. What matters is how we treat our fellow human beings while we're here.

Which is why I agree with you, Nay, about what you are thinking of taking on for Lent. I'm not giving anything up this year, but in terms of taking something on, I too am striving to remember to pay attention to how I treat people.

I have started sometimes wearing a bracelet I have that has the Bible verse: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Whenever I see that bracelet, it helps remind me to remember to pay attention to how I treat and interact with people. I think this Bible verse from Jesus sums up the most important part of our faith.

I hope it doesn't sound like I'm preaching or anything. I'm not the type to try to push my beliefs on others. I'm just sharing how I feel.

And Julie, you crack me up about the roommate and caffeine thing.