Lent ?

I am Anniebach thank you. I look forward to going although unfortunately I can't make it every week. I love the minister's sermons and there are lots of people my age who are all so welcoming. Easter is a special time.

I absolutely agree BB.

So happy for you annepl . Easter is so special, I find Good Friday upsetting, but in Church Saturday night waiting for the Church filling with light at midnight , so moving yet joyful . X

Ginny x

Merlot Terrible news for your DD, and for you all. No wonder you’re bloody angry. Not so long ago, I took myself off for rage walks. They helped. ?

I am so very sorry to hear about your darling daughter Merlot. Anger is very understandable. You are in my thoughts.

There are nearly as many reasons for keeping Lent as there are people doing it. Rarely, I’d guess, involving superstition, beating oneself up or patting oneself on the back.

For me, it’s about testing myself, taking time to simplify my life a little and think about what is important and what I should disregard, and carrying on an ages old tradition that gives comfort and a feeling of oneness to people of faith everywhere.

I shall be paring down my screen time, and, I hope, using the time saved wisely.

So sad Merlot - anger is totally understandable

I'm not religious and like someone upthread said I can't really see the point of giving up some food or drink unless it's for a diet as it's not benefitting anyone else. I do like the idea of 40 pieces of clothing though which I have seen doing the rounds on FB and will be donating them to charity.

If I gave away 40 pieces of clothing I would be naked, if I had 40 pieces of clothing to give away

Good for you, Annie. It’s so much better not to buy stuff you don’t need in the first place. I used to, and I cringe now when I think of the waste.

I always thought Lent was just a Catholic thing? When did others, especially non-religious folk, start giving things up for Lent?

I don't think it's ever been exclusively Catholic, although they probably take it more seriously than other churches. For the non-religious it's probably just become a "test yourself" time. (Sort of jumping on the band wagon).

Fair enough - I'm an atheist, but was dragged along to the Church of Scotland by my granny as a child, and I genuinely don't remember any mention of Lent then. I've always associated it with the Catholic Church, so it was a genuine question.

If I gave away forty pieces of clothing it would mostly be old pants.

Merlot..that is such sad news for you and your family...stay strong and 'beat' out your anger/heartbreak on GN
"Give sorrow words..for grief that is not spoken..knits up the overwrought heart and bids it break"

I am also a humanist but like the idea of this special time when Christians take stock of their lives and show their commitment in some way. It has focussed my mind on what I can do as a humanist to show my humanity in a more positive light, or indeed show greater restraint on some fronts! Merlot I was so sad for you and your family when I read your post. Life can be so hard and there arnt really any words but I send big hugs.

Still thinking of you merlot.

Going by today's events so far, for Lent it appears I am simply giving up.

Everyone is so kind. Thank You.

That's a lovely quote, farview. I've just sent it to my DSis-iL who is DD's godmother and was so upset this morning we abandoned the phone call. It's very apt.

On a lighter note, my car sailed through its MOT this afternoon so I sent up a few words of thanks. Must have been a nice change for the Almighty not to have me raging at him.

Nobody would want forty pieces of old clothing from me either. They'd look like that Lady in the Van!

merlot

Christ spent 40 days and nights in the wilderness fasting and where he faced temptation

So ‘giving up something for Lent’ is following in his footsteps and resisting temptation.

Thank you Merlotgran..can't remember who wrote it...but I love it
Stay strong x

Merlot, what a very sad time for you and your family. I'd be angry too. xx

Ooh look. Shakespeare. www.goodreads.com/quotes/5775-give-sorrow-words-the-grief-that-does-not-speak-knits

Who else could write that. So lovely.

muffin To quote that well known expert, Winnie the Pooh; you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
I don't believe for one minute that you'll 'simply give up', but from reading your posts I'm in awe of the way you keep on keeping on in spite of the many difficulties you encounter. (((hug)))