I just love, love. Can't help it. . . Valentine's Day is one of the greatest days of the year in my opinion. There are probably several reasons for this: First off, I love the color pink and on this day, PINK IS EVERYWHERE! Secondly, I am a hopeless romantic and I don't care how single I am, I am still a red-blooded hormonal woman and I can't help the sappy sigh when I ever I hear a love song or read a cheesy greeting card.
My 5th resolution\goal for this year was to have an epic Valentine's Day and I would say that it was pretty fairly accomplished. Ran a pilot test for experimental research which was way more fun than it really sounds. My family and friends sent me an over-sized teddy bear shaped Valentine, signed by a million and a half people (okay a slight exaggeration) but still, that card made my day. I got to go to Starbucks and relax after classes. Finally, I got to partner with a friend and make death by Oreo cupcakes which I could not partake in. . . I actually should probably explain that in more detail but I digress. . . Now that the cupcake mess is cleaned up (by hardly any work of my own) and I have showered off the kitchen smell, I figured a blog would be a good thing.
Backing up to my problem with indulging in these insanely good looking cupcakes. I have chosen this year to participate in Lent. And of course, being the determined, stubborn, "strong-willed", female that I am, I have decided that giving up desserts would be the most challenging. . .I hope I don't live to regret this.
Seriously though, when it comes down to it, Lent this year for me is important because I am rarely asked to sacrifice anything. And when I do have to give something up, in the light of true suffering, it is hardly anything to call a sacrifice, that definatly includes dating.
A young woman in my life was leading discussion for my diversity group and talked about the prayer she is praying during the Lenten season: "God, what is it in me that needs changing?"
That really struck me so I decided to adopt this prayer as mine own during Lent as well. This is a scary and challenging prayer. We are living sacrifices of God and as living sacrifices we can choose to stay on the alter or climb off. So every time I crave the sweet stuff, it reminds me to pray this prayer. . .
Praying a prayer like this is climbing right up on top of the alter and asking for a fire. But it is through fire that we are purified. . .
New American Standard Bible (©1995)
Therefore
I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a
living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual
service of worship.
