Lent- the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan. (per my definition)
As a Christian who has been a practicing Methodist the majority of my life, and now a devoted Catholic- Lent is something I have always participated in.
As a child, I would give up something, as I was supposed to, but I didn’t understand the “sacrifice” besides that it inconvenienced me terribly.
I’m a “Go Big or Go Home” Gal.. I would give up something that was truly a sacrifice. At one point in my life, I only really ate chicken. So what did I do? I gave up chicken.
Let me tell you, that was a miserable 40 days and I do not think I even appreciated a second of it because I was purely miserable and selfishly just wanted some chicken.
However, over this last several years as I transitioned to Catholicism and became more in touch with my faith I realized Lent isn’t just about “giving something up.”
So this year, I gave up Facebook and Instagram. But I also added in intentional time with God, at least 30 minutes a day. I chose to give up these social media platforms because they were becoming an addiction. It’s as if my fingers naturally went to the apps when I opened my phone. I would waste time scrolling and indulging in other people’s drama that absolutely did nothing for me besides cause me stress or anxiety. My mental health was being drained by jealousy, anger, or just purely wasted time. I could have been productive during the times I was scrolling mindlessly.
So far I have learned:
1. I don’t need social media. My mental health has skyrocketed. I truly don’t miss it, and I honestly don’t even miss “being in the loop.”
2. I can keep a clean house by myself and keep up my laundry. SHOCKER!! I spend at least 30 minutes a day now doing something productive instead of mindlessly sitting around scrolling social media after I put my toddler to bed.
3. My quiet time has been amplified. God is speaking to me in more ways than one. I CRAVE that time with him daily. He has opens up doors for me to lead a Bible study, be a disciple to some fellow Catholic moms, and just dig deeper into his Word for myself.
4. My marriage has flourished because I am not as stressed. Seems crazy, but I’m on top of my house chores, I have free time to bond with my husband at night, and I’m not comparing my life to someone else’s.
As we mindlessly scroll on Facebook, we tend to get sucked in to comparing our lives to our social media friends. But truly, no one posts the honest truth out there (at least not all the time.) We tend to “edit” or “filter” our posts.. we post the “good stuff”. We make sure and post the cute pictures of our kiddos… not the ones where they are throwing a fit and flopping on the floor. We don’t post a picture of our couch covered in laundry that needs to be folded, or the pile of dishes in the sink. We post the pictures that give a look into our “picture perfect” life. And without realizing it, we are jealous of our neighbor because we have this false idea that she’s the best housekeeper, her kids are perfect angels, and her marriage is flawless.
But my friends, is that true? I know it’s not for me.
9 times out of 10 my house is a mess, there’s toys everywhere, dog hair on something, dishes in the sink, and I’ve probably snapped at my husband for something as soon as he comes in from work.
And as I sit in my quiet time those moments flash into my mind and I’m utterly disappointed in myself.
This life I live is everything I’ve ever dreamed of!! Plus some.
My dishes in the sink show that we are blessed with food in our home. My laundry shows we have ample clothing and the ability to wash and dry at our leisure. My dog hair shows that I have happy animals running around chasing my toddler. The toys tripping me around every corner show how blessed my 2 year old is (and too spoiled at times). My sweet husband forgot to take out the trash because he was in a rush to get to work because he stayed home later this morning to help wrestle my toddler in the car so I wasn’t late for work.
Friends, there’s a blessing around every corner. Even in the chaos. We just have to CHOOSE to see it. Why make it harder on ourselves by constantly comparing ourselves to others? I know it’s natural. It’s human nature. The same way when we scroll on Pinterest or watch House Hunters we want to redo our house and get all new furniture.
Is that realistic? Not in my life anyway.
But honestly, why am I not content? I have more than I need.
Content- happy with one’s life; or satisfied. (per my definition)
Where do you find your contentment?
Through this Lenten season, I am learning to find my peace and contentment in the Lord. Exactly where I should have been finding it all along. I am learning to appreciate the chaos and mess- because it’s my blessing. I am learning to compare my life ONLY to my life.
Am I better than I was yesterday? Then I am winning.