Another example is food blogs! I absolutely love trying new recipes. Doesn’t it make cooking so much more fun? But…I have this weird issue. Right now I’m cooking things Shay made months ago, because I want to go in order. Seriously. It’s a problem. She’ll blog something new, but I’ll know I won’t get to that for months! ha! In the summer, I’ll be making her beef stew. 🙂 Please tell me someone else out there does this!
I told you that crazy confession to segue into something more serious. I started this new Easter study yesterday (and I loved it because I’m supposed to start at the beginning…ha!). It began on Ash Wednesday and the author encouraged us to give up something. Not something like “dessert” or “fast food” because that’s a sacrifice for sure, but it’s not necessarily giving you more time with God if you don’t eat a brownie. Does that make sense? If you’re giving up something like that, do not feel bad. You know your heart. I’m just explaining what I read through this study. A couple things…1. I’ve never really practiced the observance of Lent. 2. I’m really trying to dive into this study, so I feel like I’ll get more out of the study if I participate. Anyway, I brainstormed ALL day yesterday about something I really felt convicted about spending too much time with or on. It was on my mind all day long.
Then I stumbled upon this article, The Reverse Lent Challenge, about not giving something up but taking something on. The author encourages you to be an encourag-ER for the next 40 days. Write notes, make phone calls, or serve for 40 days. Encourage friends, teachers, or strangers. Just encourage. This couldn’t have come at a better time. I love this idea. You’d definitely be focusing more on Christ if you’re using any extra time to serve and encourage others. I just thought someone out there might have been like me. Struggling to come up with something! Maybe we should reverse it and DO something for others for the next 40 days?
Maybe you’re like me and have never observed Lent before? I totally understand. We don’t really have to call it, “Lent”, to encourage others for 40 days, right? I think serving others and focusing on that for the next few weeks will do nothing but get our hearts and minds ready for Easter. Don’t you?? Who could you encourage today? The cashier at the grocery store? The secretary at work? The crosswalk attendant at your child’s school? Whoever it might be that God lays on your heart, I’d strongly encourage you to follow through. Write them a note, give them a call, take them a coffee.
Okay, what started out as a CRAZY confession ended with a little spiritual encouragement. Funny how that works sometimes, right?
I’m stepping down off my pulpit now. 😉 Happy Thursday, Ladies!! XOXO
