Dust and Ashes...

Some thoughts on Lent.

My friend has given up alcohol for Lent. She is resolutely determined that she won't touch a drop. She thinks she needs to prove that she can do it. She needs to prove to herself and the world that she can give up the drink. That's great. Proving to yourself you can do something is a worthy achievement but it's not the point of Lent. The whole point of Lent from my understanding is that we can't do it. That I can't go a whole 40 days without something, that there will be a time when someone offers me a chocolate biscuit or a crisp and I forget that I've given up, or someone offers me a glass of wine at a party and I take a hasty swig before realising that Shit, I'm not meant to be having this. That's the point, so that I can say, 'Oh G/d because you are so good and because I am such a fuck up, thank you for loving me and forgiving me anyway'.

The whole point of Lent, is that we are reminded how we are dust and ashes and how much we must depend on Him to change us into glory, stardust!