Clay in the Hands

This morning, I made sure that I had my Stripes cup in the car.  Let me explain.  Stripes is a regional convenience store.  They have a policy that once you buy a fountain drink, you can then return with the cup and get a refill at a discounted price.

Now the reason this is important is that one of my biggest vices is Diet Coke.  I drink my weight in the stuff over the course of a week.  I know it is not healthy for me to do so, but it is one of the indulgences that I allow myself.  So for me, saving fifty cents each time I go for a Diet Coke can be significant.

Now the reason that I wanted to make sure I had my Stripes cup today, more so than any other day, is this:  today is Fat Tuesday.  The day before Ash Wednesday – the day before the season of Lent begins.  So today is the day that I need to drink my fill of Diet Coke, because tomorrow I begin my Diet Coke fast.

You see, Lent is a time when we think about the sacrifice Jesus made for us.  Part of the practice of Lent is giving something up that we enjoy as a means of focusing on that sacrifice that Jesus made.

So even though it is a little thing and may seem trivial to some, I am foregoing Diet Coke for the season of Lent.  There, it is public.  Now you can hold me accountable.

What will you be doing to remember Jesus’ sacrifice?