I've been debating about whether or not to blog about this.....but decided I could use the accountability, so here goes....
For the last few years, our family has been more purposeful about preparing to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter. Lent is the season leading up to that event, so, though our church tradition doesn't typically do a whole lot with Lent, we've begun putting some practices into our family life that can help us be mindful of Christ's sacrifice.
This year we're doing 40 Days of Nothing.
We're purchasing nothing that isn't a necessity. No Polar Pops from BP with crushed ice, no pizza on Sunday nights, no new books, new clothes.....nothing but what we need to exist....which gets a little sticky.
What do we need? Diet Cherry Pepsi? Fruit snacks for lunches? Just 3 days in, and I'm feeling the struggle of my consumeristic tendencies....
Wednesday, the first day of Lent, we had a plugged toilet (see a theme on this blog about toilet problems?). With only 1 bathroom, that's a pretty big deal. We know from experience with this rather small toilet, that a ridiculous-looking contraption called a toilet auger is the tool we need. We purchased one just a few months ago. However, on this particular day, it was nowhere to be found. not in the garage. not in the basement. not in that closet where you only keep dirty, gross things. Buying a new auger sounded ridiculous. we know already have one, we just can't find it. But the urgency of the situation made me think, "it's only 10-15 bucks and then the problem is solved!".....My husband heroically and humbly called our plumber friend and borrowed one.
We're headed to St. Louis on Saturday for a Parent Education Seminar with CHI (anyone else?!), and I realized....no road snacks....no Krispy Kreme donuts, no lunch out with my hubby....but the more awkward thing is that we're riding with friends from our hometown.....so at 12:30pm, when we're done with the seminar and hungry for lunch, what about our friends? I actually had this realization while talking to the wife on the phone the other day. I didn't want to seem super-holy and tell her about our 40 days of "sacrifice"....but.....
I ended up telling her and laughing about it....I'm packing a picnic lunch that we'll share with our friends, and hopefully they won't think we're too weird...
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6 comments:
Way to go Magruder Family... I wish I could do the 40 Days of Nothing. I don't think I would survive. I always use the phrase, do I need this , or do I want this? And then by that point I always say nah I really don't need to spend money... Right now in our office we tend to eat out a lot for lunch. So we have started a new rule, you have to bring your lunch every day exept one, and guess what , we have already broke that rule. It is very hard to change the old habits but with time you will succeed. Make sense? Anyways though I wish you all the best of luck on your quest of "40 days of nothing".
Ya know, I like the idea of the picnic lunch! And, I think you may be surprised that people will laugh and then support you. If you believe this is what's best for you and your family-then do it.
I also like the solution to the plunger! ;)
I would have a hard time determining if i need the diet coke...A girl has to drink!
The toilet...definetly needed the auger! LOL!
The 40 days initiative sounds like a good exercise for anyone to attempt! I went around 6-8(can't remember) months without a television a few years ago and it was a great experience. Look forward to hearing updates! And, its great when friends can laugh together and help each other honor good intentions/commitments..thats a good friend!
Need vs. want...that is definitely a gray area sometimes, isn't it? I find that especially true when I'm dealing with toddlers!
OK, I'm the friend who's husband forced Gretchen and Todd to go to Olive garden instead of a picnic lunch!! Also he twisted their arms to splurge on an appitizer-- calamari-- he loves to go out to eat when we are gone somewhere!!
But they did try to say no, and they did share a meal. I don't think Rick understood what they where up to, and they didn't want to offend him.(which you couldn't do unless you hit him in the head with a brick)So it was our fault that they ate a big indulgent meal out during their 40 days!!! I can take the heat!!
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