For Lent

Last night was Ash Wednesday. We attended the community service here on campus. It was led by the pastors, associate pastor, and SPM students from both Presbyterian churches in town and the pastors to students on campus. I enjoyed the service very much. Having been raised in a more Baptist tradition, I had not had much experience observing Ash Wednesday and Lent before being with Michael. This is the first year I decided to give something up....

I had decided what I thought I was going to give up earlier in the day. It was a big sacrifice to me but something that would bring me closer to Christ-likeness. However, while sitting in the service last night, something different was impressed upon my mind as the thing I should work on. I happen to think it was God's gentle whisper that this was more in line with what He wants from me. A verse even came to me to go along with it.

My "sacrifice" is intensely personal and I don't know that I will want to discuss it with anyone in real life. If my confidant scoffed at me or made some comment about how I have such a problem with that, it would be extremely detrimental to my success. So, I also decided that my blog will help me with accountability, lol.

Do not let any unwholesome talk

come out of your mouths, but only what is

helpful for building others up according to

their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

~Ephesians 4:29~

I don't think that I go around saying malicious things about people just to tear them down. But on the flip side, I don't think I am very successful with making my words meet others' needs either. Or that the things that come out of my mouth "benefit" those who hear them. I enjoy making sarcastic comments and jokes. My temper often gets the best of me and I say things that I shouldn't. I argue. None of which is useful for building people up.

I have memorized my verse and plan to recite it to myself whenever the temptation arises to use my words for anything besides building others up. It's such a habit to mouth off in one way or another. I am rededicating myself to being in God's Word as well. Filling my mind with His words will draw me closer to Him and make it easier to say the right words out loud. I actually feel better about this course than the "sacrifice" I had planned. This feels like what God wants to see in my life and I am excited. I believe it will draw me closer to Him, my husband, my babies, and those around me. With His help, I can do this!