Gearing up for Lent

I'm up late again and I'm thinking about Lent. As each year passes, I appreciate the season of Lent more and more. There's something beautiful about turning away from one's self that I find more rewarding than I used to. Don't get me wrong. I think we should srtrive daily to not be self-centered, but Lent gently brings us away from our selves and helps us to focus on Christ. I always tell Luke that JOY is just an acronym for our priorities- Jesus, Others and You last. If we keep up that order, we will have JOY in our lives. The self is last. Lent also forces me to slow down and create the simplicity I desire. I really want to profit by this Lent. We've been talking about Lent over the past week and what we want to sacrifice during this time. I always thought that I should choose something different each year, but why re-invent the wheel? Last year's sacrifice was hard enough. I gave up Amazon and buying craft supplies. I know that sounds wimpy, but believe me, I check Amazon daily as part of my online ritual. I won' t be buying any new books and well, that's hard. I'm a quilter and now, a somewhat advanced beginner knitter and I love fabrics and yarns. How can I not buy any new yarn? It'll be tough especially since I have my last sock knitting class tomorrow night in a yarn shop! Oh, the temptation! Actually, I'll focus on finishing my first sock and I won't even glance at the yarn. See, my life is simpler already! I'll work on finishing the projects I've started and I won't think about any new ones until these are completed. I'm also working on a Lenten menu. I was going to post it tonight, but I keep changing some of the dishes. That will have to keep until tomorrow.

Well, I'm going to stay up a little later and work on weaving in the ends of my first knit sweater. I can't wait to post a picture of my little wallaby sweater!!! I better get to work and as I work, I'll listen to a book on my MP3 player and enjoy what's left of Shrove Tuesday.