Small Sacrifices

I gave up diet coke for Lent.

That's big time, Big Time, for me.

I do love me some diet coke.

What I do for and give up for Lent isn't something that I advertise, but over the course of five or so weeks, a few people, mostly family, do figure it out. I get a few interesting responses. Some people completely understand the Lenten concept, and are encouraging. Then others look at me like I've grown a second head and are obviously wondering why one should bother. Last year, at the beginning of Lent, a relative (a very opinionated and much-loved one ;) ) went so far as to tell me it was "stupid" to give up something for Lent, that God didn't need you to "deprive yourself from something you love" in order to honor Him. I must admit, that statement rattled me a bit. He did have a point. "Why do we give up cherished activities, things, or food for Lent?" I thought. At the time I didn't really have an answer.

I should say that last year was the first year I have participated in Lent since I was a teenager. As a child, I went to a Catholic school, so every spring the kids would talk about their Lenten sacrifices. Back then I always cheated during Lent, and the whole experience was just a sort of burden I was required to participate in for school. No chocolate for a month and a half? Yeah, right! Thankfully, as an adult, the experience of Lent has been quite different. It's not any easier, although my impulse control has improved, as if often does with age! No, giving up my cherished loves (last year - Starbucks, that was hard!) is still difficult, but now it's meaningful. Powerful even. What I've learned about life, faith, God's love, and myself from making small sacrifices is staggering, I can even say life changing.

Yeah, I said it. My life has changed by simply giving up Starbucks and diet coke for a few weeks.

Wow.

Here's how I see it. So I'm having a day where I'm really jonesing for a diet coke, I mean hard -core gotta have it. Oh yeah, they're still stocked in the fridge, the fridge that this stay-at-home mom looks at all day. The Husband doesn't really like the idea of giving up diet coke until Easter, so I still buy them for him. Most of the time I'm fine, but there are days when the craving for a coke gets so bad that I'll open the fridge and just look at them. Then - I - have - to - back - away.
Practicing self control is no fun, but it's so good for me.

Ok, so back to the how I see it part. So I want a diet coke and can't have one. It really, really stinks in the moment, but in reality what's the big deal?

Wanting something I can't have reminds me that there are people who are truly needy. I think about the people that want nutritious food and don't have any. Of those that want shelter, a warm, welcoming home, medicine and access to health care, safety and security for their children. Heck, just the ability to care for and feed their children. I have those things, and much, much more. My house may be smallish and simple, but many people in the world would consider it a palace. We never, ever go hungry around here, as anyone can plainly see, and we can pick up and go to the doctor anytime we please. It may cost us an arm and a leg, but we can still go and pay for it without sacrificing another necessity. My kids have abundance of excellent educational opportunities, and thankfully, The Husband has the ability to provide well for us all. We have lots of love, fun, and laughter.

It's a beautiful, wonderful life. It's my life, the life that I have. How wonderful is that?

Giving up diet coke, or Starbucks, puts my life in perspective, in a big way. During Lent, and for a long while afterwards, my approach towards life changes. My thinking changes. My view goes from, "I want...we need...I don't have...," to "I'm so thankful that we have.... we are so blessed."

As if that weren't enough, there's more. Small sacrifices make me more compassionate towards others. I'm reminded to pray more for the needy, I'm more generous with my giving. Sacrificing, no matter how small, reminds me that we are a society, that we're not all in it for ourselves. I'm reminded that the lives of others are just as important as our lives. What a wonderful lesson, one that I know I could use from time to time.

Powerful lessons can be learned by giving up a simple, but much-loved thing. I almost hope that this year my relative tells me again that Lenten sacrifice is "stupid." This year I have a thing or two I can share about that.