Lent?

I realize I'm a little behind on this post considering that Ash Wednesday, the beginning of lent, was a couple of days ago but I wanted to write about it in order to hopefully keep myself accountable. See I'm very bad at discipline, I tend to start things and not always carry them out. Yes, I admit it!

Lent is the 40 days before Easter, in which Jesus fasted and was tempted in the desert before his crucifixion and resurrection. It is a time for us to reflect, repent, and pray in order to prepare our hearts and souls for Easter.

Matthew 4:1-2

 ¹ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

 ² After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.

Many Christians give up or sacrifice a luxury for lent such as sweets or cokes. Although I really need to give up these things I don't feel that would be a sacrifice that would bring me closer to Jesus or prepare me for Easter. My desire is to grow closer to God through the next 40 days and live in such a way that others see Jesus shining through me. I am committing to sending a note of encouragement to a different person each day for the next 40 days. I will also pray for this person throughout the day, who knows what God will have in store through this journey. I know he will lay on my heart the exact person who needs his love and encouragement at just the right moment.

Matthew 6:8

⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Oh and I'm giving up Diet Coke too, because I've been drinking ALOT lately! Too Much!