If you’re like me and there’s a rare occasion that you’re home by yourself and you want to “do nothing” you’ve probably sat aimlessly in front of the television channel surfing for what could have been hours.  In my mind I’ve often thought “What a waste!  TV is just so dumb!”  I’m not big on TV but I do like Fox News now and again and I LOVE Food Network and when I want to “do nothing” there’s nothing better than a pointless chick flick like “The Devil Wears Prada” on cable that I’ve seen 112 times!  And when I want to chillax in the afternoon and have control of the remote, also a rarity, Giada, Ina and Rachel are my friends!  Yeah…not the best use of time when I have very little to begin with…I know.

Last night we told our children that we will be cancelling our TV service this coming Wednesday for Lent.  Oh my goodness you would have thought they were being punished!  We have been thinking about cancelling our cable for quite some time anyway because we don’t utilize it enough to justify spending the money but very recently (and ironically) our kids have fallen in love with a new show on Disney Junior called “Jake and the Neverland Pirates”.  It really is a cute program and can actually captivate my busy children’s attention for a good 24 minutes…not all bad from Mama’s perspective.  Nevertheless their reaction to this revelation made us realize that we made the correct decision.  They can still put a DVD in, which they don’t like nearly as much and will watch it for maybe 10 minutes, but no more Disney Channel except for on Sundays on the computer.  This sacrifice even extends to Grandma’s house…which reminds me to make a phone call!

We explained to our children that the entire purpose of Lent is to give up something that you like to do for the 40 days and 40 night leading up to Easter (Sundays excluded) and use that time to thank Jesus for his sacrifice for us in dying on the cross for our sins.  Obviously nothing we give up pales in comparison to the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made but the time we spend praying and focusing on Him instead of watching TV (or getting on Facebook or, or, or…)  What a great form or worship.  To our children it is a new concept..as in “Six WHOLE WEEKS!?”…and I’m sure it will be hard at first…but they’re resilient little ones.  My bet is the sadness will be short-lived and last maybe a day.

Consider what you might give up for Lent.  Hopefully it won’t be my blog ;)…God is working and I cannot wait to see what He is going to do!  Click here for an awesome prayer guide during Lent.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”  Luke 9:23