Lent

Hey there all my Catholic relatives! How ya'll doin'? Well it's that time of year again. Time to go sport your black foreheads, and eat those salmon patties on Fridays. I love it. Anything that denies self and uplifts God is good in my book. (And no I'm not being sarcastic, I really do love the observance of lent and I'm honored to have such a great family that is so faithful)
I'm often asked around this time of year, "So, what are you giving up for lent?" (Also sometimes, albeit rarely, I get asked "How big you gonna party on Fat Tuesday?") I've thought about obvious things for this year, chocolate (the most popular I think among the faithful) TV, (Lord help me I don't think I could give up that one) Meat on Fridays (too traditional) And then I started thinking, "Why don't I pray and ask God what He thinks I should do to remember His son's 40 days in the wilderness before his ministry and also the time leading up to His death on the cross."
So I did. Funny thing though- I sensed in my spirit it was not something to "Give up" per se but I quietly sensed that God wanted me to add something in my life. Something that's been quite absent for awhile and I hadn't even noticed it was gone.
Love.
Okay no one get scared, Nathan and I are, yes, still MADLY in love with each other even when we are yelling so loud we almost wake the kids up some nights. (What? everyone has arguments from time to time) It's not that love that's been missing. It's the love for other people beyond just my family. And at times it is the love for people including my family. (ABBY!!! Get your little hiney off that dresser....!!!!!)
Sorry I'm back now. This revelation was confirmed to me this morning at my weekly bible study. (Why is it I always seem to get my best writing ideas from bible study...) So my study this week is all about how to replace a critical spirit with love. Yikes. Yes, I'm critical. Born and raised in the critical nation, coming from a long line of naysayers and grumblers. But it's not really that bad, I mean, I'm just pointing out what needs to be changed. I'm analytical. I see how things can improve and sweetly mention how it can be better. Only women in the south can tell you they hate you with such a sweet tone you take it as a compliment.
So here's my "Lent Observance" for 2012. I'll probably try to eat those salmon patties on Fridays. I'll probably try to limit the sweets. But more than "trying" to do those things I'll be adding one thing that I think really will matter in my life. I've committed to praying every day that the Holy Spirit change my heart to love people instead of criticize them, and to change my critical ways once and for all to be ways that are truly Christ-like. Love. I need more love in my life. Love when the kids are screaming. Love when someone doesn't talk to me. Love when I'm waiting in line. Love when I visit my extended family (Hi there! Yes I know you read this blog and are expecting results!) And love overall when it's not deserved.
Lord help me, I'm gonna need it.
(((And please forgive me for the random thoughts and excessive use of parenthesis in the typing of this post)))