The Thing About Sacrifice

Ah the Easter season. Springtime. Renewal. A time for Lent. Lent? Yes Lent, the Christian preparation for the Ressurection. I had always hated Lent. It's all about sacrifice right? Jesus sacrificed his life for our sins and so therefore I have to sacrifice candy for six weeks. Seems fair right? It should be a no brainer. 


Well I am still struggling with this question. A sacrifice on any level is just so, so hard! I want to set a good example for my girls, not be too flashy about it but just let them know that I am a willing participant in this. Every year I think, this will be the year where I will give up stuff till it hurts! But when Ash Wednesday rolls around (black-smudge-on-forehead day for the uninitiated) I get caught up in the rationalization of what to do that would be appropriate. For Chrissake (pun intended) I can't go dying for anyone and yet denying myself sweets just seems weak on the scale of giving of oneself. 
On the other hand, I find it incredibly difficult to keep tabs on myself when there seems to be so many other problems in my life. I mentioned this to my husband, that maybe we should give to a charity or do some community service work instead. His response was, WE need charity lately so how were we going to give to someone else when we're struggling? He has a good point. 


Catholic guilt certainly has a hand in it. I come from a family of pretty devout Catholics but I don't recall them ever expressing the desire to do good works. Not to say that they wouldn't help a fellow out if they could, but not exactly ready to hit the soup kitchen anytime soon either. I am constantly looking for inspiration, hoping I don't have my head up my ass on the day it comes knocking at my door. So far, I think I have about a child's grasp on the whole thing. I will give up something that is enjoyable but once Easter hits, I know I can always get it back. 

I'm not sure if this is a rant or a question. I can say that if I had money to give, a hand to lend, time to spend, I certainly would. But then again, if I had all that, would it really be a sacrifice?