Ash Wednesday

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Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent—the period of preparation for the Holiest Day of the Catholic Church, Easter. It is more than Friday fish fries and “giving up” a bad habit. It is a time of penance, prayer and alms giving. It could be a time start a "good" habit.

A friend of mine, who is of the Baptist Christian faith, once asked me about Lent. She wanted to understand what the self-sacrifice was about, and thought maybe her young sons might benefit from the practice. I told her fasting and abstinence can be easier if you do not think of it as “giving something up”, but rather “giving up to God.”

Since my childhood, I’ve fasted from sweets during Lent—except for fruits and birthday cake. Each time I am tempted by a sweet treat, I remember in my heart to “give it up to God” in the form of a prayer. It’s not much, really, just a brief “This is for You, Lord.” Here's a secret: God likes it whenever you think about Him!

A few years ago I made a conscious effort to focus more on the prayer part of Lent. I developed what I call my “Jesus Drawings.” In a small sketchbook, I try to draw one illustration each week during the Lenten Season. And even though some are very personal, I share them with my family on Easter.

As I sit on my bed and write this entry, I have chosen to share this illustration with you. It is one of the “Jesus Drawings” from 2007, long before I ever thought about blogging. Having a presence on the internet can be risky business. I believe Jesus is watching over my shoulder, guarding my heart, and guiding my words. 

Talk about Divine Inspiration!

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P.S. Here's a list of my favorite movies to watch during Lent. Enjoy!