Lent is Upon Us

The season of Lent is here, for those who participate.

I understand when people don’t really know what Lent is about. To be honest, I used to think Lent was about dieting. Everyone was giving up sweets, junk food or something similar. I definitely missed the point that this fasting was to prepare for Easter, and it was supposed to accompany prayer and almsgiving.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve participated in Lent by giving up snacks and soda. But for me, it was always more of a “40 Day Challenge.”

Then, at some point in college, I learned that Sundays “don’t count” during Lent, so technically, you can have whatever it is you gave up. When I learned that, Sundays quickly became an epic binge-fest of chips and Diet Coke. I would really make up for those six days I had “fasted.” I’m sure part of the reason is because my motives were askew, and I was completely unfocused on the purpose of Lent.

Now that I’m older, I try to focus on what Lent is actually about. l have no spiritual authority and limited religious knowledge, but, I really think Christians should focus a bit less on “giving something up” during Lent and more on almsgiving. Caring for people by donating money, food, clothes, toys or even just your time can probably go a lot further than a sad 40-day personal improvement plan (which is admittedly what I was doing for years).

A couple ideas of organizations to volunteer your time or treasure: Fort Wayne Children’s Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Indiana, United Way of Allen County, and Hope’s Harbor. There are plenty more, of course.

Or, for almsgiving, you could make dinner for a friend who’s going through a tough time, or check in on the people in your life who might be lonely.

Regardless of what you plan to do for Lent, or if you even participate, I wish you well in the next 40-ish days ahead.

Have a great week! ❚

Lindsey Lukas Senior Editor