I have a little ritual I indulge in. Every morning, as I get up at stupid-o’clock to deal with a starving child, I reach into the fridge and have a little piece of chocolate. If I’m having a bad day, feel like things are getting on top of me or just crave a little me-time, I do the same thing. But not today. Nor any day until Easter.
Lent is the 40 days leading to Easter when we dedicate ourselves to re-evaluating our connection with God. It is traditionally a time of prayer, deep thinking and fasting, and for many Christians is a chance to take stock, to see how they’ve done this year and prepare for the next. Now, if I was spending the next 40 days in silent reflection I would be happy to fast, but as a working mum with an active life and two kids to wrangle this is just not going to happen. Just as well mind you, because I think I’d go stark raving mad. No, I have normally preferred to fast in spirit only, to ‘give up’ something less tangible, like saying mean things about people or sarcasm (that one was a struggle!). Even last year I could not understand the meaning or purpose behind giving up chocolate or wine or facebook for lent. “How does this make the world a better place?” I asked a priested friend. “Why do people do this? Is it habit? Is it lip service? I DON’T GET IT!”.
Now I do. Or at least I am beginning to.
As with all faith, it is difficult to put into words something that goes so far beyond them. But in coming to this decision, there are a few factors that come to mind.