Envy
I'm not Catholic but I do observe Lent. I think this is a very special time of the year when we can reflect upon what our Lord did for us.
During Lent, you are "supposed to" give up something - pop, drinking, ice cream, tv, Facebook. Something that allows you to sacrifice as our Lord sacrificed Himself for us. Something I think it's silly to give up food or something because what is that in comparison to His LIFE? It is good to reflect upon WHY you are giving up whatever it is that you are giving up.
I've done the junk food before myself, trying to cleanse my body, my vessel for the Lord. However, this year (I do realize I'm a wee bit behind) I'm going to give up coveting.
I covet something horrible. Something that started as just noticing, "oh isn't this a nice house?" or "wow, she has a great body (not in the sexual way but in the fit way)" or "she has such great clothes" has become "I want this house," "I want that body," "I want those clothes."
It's a struggle, it really is. I have friends with houses that they own. Friends who can afford to have more than 2 kids (although I know I've been blessed with 2 of my own, sometimes it is hard because I don't know if we could afford anymore). Friends with super nice cars/trucks/vans. Friends with pets. Friends where either they're single or both members of the couple work so they have more money. And so, I have friends with nice "things." And I get envious when I can't have those nice things (and probably will never have many of those things).
However, I am blessed. I have a great marriage with a godly man who wants me no matter what I look like. I have two really great (and stinking adorable) children who really love me. I have great parents and sisters. I have a small handful of great friends and a large handful of great bloggy friends (I love you guys). As for possessions: I have a great van, a Wii, a lot of movies (DVD & VHS), an iPod (from my great sister), pictures galore, scrapbooks up the wazoo. I have enough food (something through various government programs) to feed my family. We live in a super nice rental house that I hope we never leave (haha).
Sometimes I get caught up in the "things" of life with so much advertising everywhere. But for the remainder of Lent (and continuing on), I want to focus on my blessings. If I catch myself being envious or covetous, I will pray to the Lord and thank Him for blessing whoever I'm coveting and ask Him to turn my heart to focus on all the wonderful things in my life.
Do you celebrate Lent? Why or why not? What do you plan to give up, if you do celebrate?
PS watch this movie, Envy, so funny.
During Lent, you are "supposed to" give up something - pop, drinking, ice cream, tv, Facebook. Something that allows you to sacrifice as our Lord sacrificed Himself for us. Something I think it's silly to give up food or something because what is that in comparison to His LIFE? It is good to reflect upon WHY you are giving up whatever it is that you are giving up.
I've done the junk food before myself, trying to cleanse my body, my vessel for the Lord. However, this year (I do realize I'm a wee bit behind) I'm going to give up coveting.
I covet something horrible. Something that started as just noticing, "oh isn't this a nice house?" or "wow, she has a great body (not in the sexual way but in the fit way)" or "she has such great clothes" has become "I want this house," "I want that body," "I want those clothes."
It's a struggle, it really is. I have friends with houses that they own. Friends who can afford to have more than 2 kids (although I know I've been blessed with 2 of my own, sometimes it is hard because I don't know if we could afford anymore). Friends with super nice cars/trucks/vans. Friends with pets. Friends where either they're single or both members of the couple work so they have more money. And so, I have friends with nice "things." And I get envious when I can't have those nice things (and probably will never have many of those things).
However, I am blessed. I have a great marriage with a godly man who wants me no matter what I look like. I have two really great (and stinking adorable) children who really love me. I have great parents and sisters. I have a small handful of great friends and a large handful of great bloggy friends (I love you guys). As for possessions: I have a great van, a Wii, a lot of movies (DVD & VHS), an iPod (from my great sister), pictures galore, scrapbooks up the wazoo. I have enough food (something through various government programs) to feed my family. We live in a super nice rental house that I hope we never leave (haha).
Sometimes I get caught up in the "things" of life with so much advertising everywhere. But for the remainder of Lent (and continuing on), I want to focus on my blessings. If I catch myself being envious or covetous, I will pray to the Lord and thank Him for blessing whoever I'm coveting and ask Him to turn my heart to focus on all the wonderful things in my life.
Do you celebrate Lent? Why or why not? What do you plan to give up, if you do celebrate?
PS watch this movie, Envy, so funny.
Comments
Oh, and I gave up pizza and candy, but I bet you already knew that!
We're not in any way trying to compare ourselves to what Jesus did for us on the cross. But we are trying to prepare ourselves when God comes the last time and we can choose him over all other things that are here on earth.
I hope that makes sense.
Coveting is not good, but don't be too hard on yourself. It's okay to want things that others have; it's not okay to want it instead of them having it. What I'm trying to say, is that it's okay if your friends house makes you want a nice house as long as you are not wishing you could take your friends house away from them and have it instead of them.
I think it's human nature to always strive. I do however think that sometimes we don't take the time to appreciate what we have, but you are taking the time to be grateful.
I personally see Lent as a time of renewal, and think it is better to do something to better yourself during this time, rather than giving something up. I was raised Catholic and grew up giving up something, every single year. My mom is still Catholic and on Wednesday we were talking about this. She did not know what to give up. I was telling her my thoughts and she said that is what the priest was talking about. Renewal. She decided during lent to start a prayer jar. I thought that was a great idea.