It's that time of year again. I love Ash Wednesday, it's my favorite worship service of the year...Easter vigil being a close 2nd. Walking around the world with ashes on my forehead makes me feel like I've just returned from another place and time and am walking through this life with an other-life orientation, not in the "I can suffer through this world because I'll have mansions and crowns and streets of gold in heaven" type of way, but in an up-side-down now and not yet eschatological way.
For each of the 40 days of Lent (and Sundays) I will strive to rid myself of one personal possession, and to not buy anything other than food and gas. The point is is that I love stuff, especially of the clothes, shoes, jewelry and yarn variety and I have WAY too much of it. Maybe by ridding myself of 40+ items I can create a space to breath deeper.
Dear God,
Help me look to you during these forty days and not to the false security of stuff. Forgive me for my inordinate love of things. Forgive me for my hypocritical judgments of other people's materialism and excess; when the truth is that if I had the kind of money they did I would likely buy just as much stuff. Save me from the pride of less and the pride of more.
In Jesus' name,
AMEN
getting rid of one item a day for the 40 days-- great plan! and even better if the items go to charity...
Posted by: Barb | February 20, 2007 at 10:41 PM
That is a really good idea...I may attempt to do that. I have a real issue with shopping.
Posted by: stayathomemotherdom | February 22, 2007 at 05:43 PM
I am thinking about the "essentials for the journey" as posted on my blog. I've only come up with one so far -- love.
And Sara loves her sweater.
Posted by: towanda | February 22, 2007 at 08:35 PM
My Lent stuff is at my blog.
http://greenlent.blogspot.com
Posted by: annfontaine | March 02, 2007 at 01:02 PM
I've been looking for some inspiration. I like this. Thanks. I found your site through Geez. Take care.
Posted by: Rob Jirucha | March 20, 2009 at 10:46 AM