Lenten Sacrifices

When we were younger, my parents encouraged us to make a sacrifice during Lent. Starting from Ash Wednesday up to Easter Sunday, we were to give up something we truly enjoyed. Aside from individual sacrifices, we also had a yearly family sacrifice and that was 40 days of no TV. My dad would unplug the TV and we would not see or watch a single show for the whole forty days. This would include TV shows when we would go to my Lola's house. So while cousins would hover around a Sunday movie, me and my siblings would  hang out in the dining area or play in the garden, do things that would take us away from the tube.

Then we would have individual sacrifices too. I remember my sacrifices would differ every year: no softdrinks, no chocolates, no ice cream. All depending on what I would fancy that year. And we would follow through doing our sacrifices whether at home or not, whether our parents see us or not.

Now that I am a parent and my children are growing with the understanding of Lent, I wanted to teach them the value of sacrifice. Why sacrifice during Lent? I explained to my two older girls that we sacrifice during Lent to remind us of Christ's sufferings in order to save us from sin. The goal is to bring us closer to God.

The girls were game about it and thought about what they would be willing to give up. Nadine said she would stop using the computer. That includes Internet and games etc. She can use it only for school work. Raya was willing to give up playing with small toys which she really enjoys doing. I told the girls I was partially giving up Facebook. I would check important messages only on Fridays (sometimes, people would get in touch with me through Facebook and would ask for important information etc.)

They were excited at first but when the novelty started to wear off, they wished they sacrificed something else. LOL! I told them that was the value of what they were giving up and on times they feel like they are tempted to do what they've said they will stop doing, then offer that temptation up to God.

I am proud of my girls for following through. We are halfway through Lent and I know that they've stuck to what they've promised to do although they would mention it at times about wanting to do it. But I know that they wouldn't because they have promised. This is the first time we are doing it and I am happy how things have progressed. I hope that as the years go on, they would understand more fully the reason why we do this and that this would make them closer to God.