Friday, March 2, 2018

It All Started With Ash on the Forehead

Quite a few years back, I noticed something black/gray on my aunt's forehead.  When I mentioned it, she told me about Ash Wednesday.  On Ash Wednesday, Catholics and maybe others put ash on their foreheads and begin their "40" day fast of Lent.  Everyone fasts something different.  Some fast sweets, some meats, some coffee, and such.  I may not be Catholic but thought this would be a good way to eat healthier.  I know that is not the intention of Lent, but those were my thoughts just the same :)

Next year began my first full fast during Lent.  I couldn't think of anything I was hooked on, but I had been drinking one hot chocolate each night for months.  So I decided to give that up.  The next year, I limited my television watching TREMENDOUSLY.  That was harder on me than giving up hot chocolate, but I still didn't feel accomplished much less closer to God.

I really did like the idea of  Lent but needed to change it up a bit.  I decided to add something instead of give something up.  From Lent forward, every time I drive by myself before 10am, I keep the radio off and pray to God.  I have pretty much kept that up to this day.  What a blessing it has been!  I felt my relationship with God get stronger even though it was only a short drive to work.  These days, I get that time with God a lot less as children are usually with me.  But, our relationship is like a best friend who you don't get to see as often as you used to when neither of you had family obligations.  We still talk throughout the day, but that drive time is coveted.

I began thinking that waiting for Lent to happen was no longer needed.  I could start any time of the year.  So, a few years back, I began a November thankful for post on Facebook like I saw so many others doing.  However on December 1, I found myself longing to stay positive and thinking on what I was thankful for.  You guessed it.  I started my "Lent fast" a few months early :)  I started writing it to keep me thinking positively and being grateful for what I have.  A year or so later, various people started telling me in person or via message how they looked forward to reading my thankful for posts.  Wow!  God works in mysterious ways.

I now think, "In what way can I better my life and/or someone else's life."  It may be something that takes a few seconds or something that continues through the years.  Blessing someone else ends up blessing me even if just by a shared smile or a smile I envision them having when they see how someone has secretly blessed them.

What are some blessing suggestions you have that don't cost much if anything?

putting away someone else's grocery cart
pushing store carts back to the store that don't have a place in the parking lot
giving a neighbor a note of appreciation
smiling at passersby (it might be the only smile they get that day)
saying "Thank you, ..."  Saying someones name adds SO much to the thank you.