Happy Fat Tuesday!  This is the day of the year that people across the world are cramming in all the delights (culinary or otherwise) they can before Lent begins tomorrow.

Growing up in the Southern Baptist Church, I was never really acquainted with the formal practice of Lent.  My idea of preparing myself for Easter was making sure my Easter Basket was cleaned out and ready to fill with eggs.  As I have continued in my soul journey through the world, Lent has become a helpful and centering practice I have adopted.

That being said, as a relative newcomer to the discipline, I also see some of the pitfalls.  I see so many people adopting a Lenten fast as a jumpstart to a crash diet to get ready for Beach Body season.  The list of things people give up reflect motivations behind the fast.  Chocolate.  Soda.  Booze.  Junk Food.  Sugar.  Gluten.  I am not meaning to imply that everyone’s motivations are corrupt, but I do think, at least for me, tying the Spiritual Practice of Lent to a potential diet can be a slippery slope.

So, my challenge for you this year:  Don’t Give Up Chocolate For Lent.*

Instead, take some time today to reflect on the true invitation of Lent- to reconnect with the life and teachings of Jesus.  What is a daily practice that can invite you closer into your walk of faith?  Perhaps, instead of fasting from an indulgence, we can add a practice to our daily habits.

Go to sleep repeating a breath prayer.

Read your local paper and pray over an issue God puts on your heart.

Pick up and read that Spiritual Devotional that has been sitting dusty on your nightstand.

Write a letter to a friend or family member each day, letting them know what you love about them.

Or, if a fast is something that is tugging on your heart, consider what type of fast may bring you into greater awareness of God.

Turn off the TV for an hour a day, and spend that time engaging in relationship with someone else.

Decide to fast from Amazon or other retail therapy that leaves a big carbon footprint.  Think of other ways to invest that money in God’s Kingdom.

Commit to stop being so short tempered with your children, and instead come stop and pray when you feel tempted to yell.

Lent is a journey.  And each of the 40 days should bring us closer in awareness to our Creator.  What invitation do you sense in your life this year?

*in a spirit of self disclosure, my job at a chocolate factory did not inspire this statement.