Lent 2011

This year in a bid to help me with my excesses in life and to keep my FOCUS ON GOD and less on food I'm being strict with myself over lent. Food and TV are the order of the day. My hubs is giving up coffee (this is a HUGE thing for him).

Here are my Lenten strictures:

FASTING ON ASH WEDNESDAY

• Black tea and plenty of water were the order of the day

NO UNNECESSARY SUGAR

• I'll allow sugar on weetabix to make it palatable
• No chocolate
• No sweets (except soothers)
• No cupcakes
• No muffins (except pumpkin ones because I need to use up flour and make these - limit to one a day)
• No tray bakes
• No birthday cake etc

NO UNNECESSARY DAIRY

• I will allow a little milk on cereal 
• I'll allow a little cheese (not cheddar) on food
• No other dairy, not even milk in tea!

TV LIMIT

• No more than one hour daily!!!!!
• This includes online TV

NO OVEREATING

• No exceeding of 1800kcals daily limit!!!!!!

This is going to be very hard for me (for one thing we'll be attending two BIG birthday bashes and I have NO willpower and a POOR memory and will be suffering big-time sugar and chocolate withdrawal. I will hate it and temptation will be round every corner BUT isn't that sort of the point.

To recognise our idols (overeating, zoning out for long periods in front of the telly) and to fight them (with God's help).

To use the period up to Easter to reflect on Jesus' journey to the cross.

To use it to spend some time in true repentance for those sins for which He died.

To spend time in a valley in contemplation as we build-up to the celebration of Christ's act of pardon and grace for us, His resurrection, His defeat over death, His ultimate sacrifice for us - by my small sacrifice for Him.

As this post is scheduled I'll already be a couple of days in and no doubt struggling and failing already. Thank God for His grace and forgiveness of sins and failings and human frailty and weakness of spirit. Praise the Lord for His graciousness. Amen

I'll endeavour to be accountable here on Sundays throughout Lent - I hope you'll join in, in trying to kick to the kerb your eating (or other) idols.