Easter is Near

Easter time is approaching. Wednesday is the first day of lent. I've been thinking about the age old tradition in my church of giving up something for lent. When I was a child I always gave up candy, as I grew older I gave up sugar in my coffee. (I still don't use sugar in my coffee, lost my taste for it.) Last Sunday the priest talked about doing random acts of kindness in place of giving something up. As adults we are required to fast for lent, not eating meat on Wednesday and Friday and eating one meal a day. People over 60 are absolved from this obligation.

All of this started me thinking about something that has troubled me for years. Does God care what I eat? Are all the rules set down given to us from God? Am I to do acts of kindness during lent so I can collect "brownie buttons" from God?

I think all the fasting and giving something up is to prepare us for the most important part of my religion, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. If someone jumped in front of us when someone was shooting at us thereby taking a bullet for us, we would be grateful for the rest of our lives.

Jesus Christ was whipped and forced to carry a heavy cross through the streets wearing a crown of thorns, which cut deeply into his head. People were jeering him. Some were the same people who cheered him and were in awe of him when he cured the sick. Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross and died for our sin. He bled real blood, the same blood we bleed when we are injured. He was born from a woman, the same way we are born. He asked God the Father to let Him out of doing what He had to do, but He obeyed His Father and asked forgiveness for those who killed Him.

Where does that leave us 2000 years later? Some say Jesus Christ was a prophet. Others say all this is a bunch of " hog-wash," they don't believe in God, there is no "here after." Some people jump from religion to religion until they find one that is comfortable for them. Some leave religion, but still believe in God their own way. Some people blame God for all the troubles they have received through their lives.

I can't give up candy because I don't like candy. My diet is restricted so fasting is out. I always do acts of kindness to all I meet. I have a smile on my face and greet everyone that I meet. So, what is left for me to prepare myself for this coming event. Read the bible...I have cataracts and reading is out. I guess I won't collect any "brownie buttons" this time. Maybe I never wanted "brownie Buttons." Maybe I wanted to live the best I know how, every day of my life.

As I stated before...East time is approaching, Wednesday is the first day of lent.