Yipe! How did today get to be Shrove Tuesday already? I have to start Lent tomorrow and I haven’t prepped for my commitment yet!
I decided this year I’d take a page from coworker Amanda Robbins’ playbook and spend the next 40 days away from all forms of plastic money. No debit card, no credit card, no checks, no IOUs. I will make exceptions for bills that must be mailed. Everyone else will get strictly cash.
That means I have to prepare, though. I have to cash my rebate check. I have to take back cans. I have to – gasp – budget.
I meant to get ready for this. Honest I did. But there was the whole work thing, which really cramps my style. Most nights, I’m good for making dinner when work is over, and that’s just about all. And weekends? Well, who wants to think about budgets and sacrifices on weekends?
I’ve mentioned before I didn’t grow up practicing Lent, nor even knowing what it was. And my cradle-Episcopalian husband has never, to my knowledge, bothered giving up anything for Lent at all. So it’s not like I feel any pressure. I do not believe that’s going to be one of the things St. Peter mentions when I hit the Pearly Gates. (“Hmmmm. Says here you skipped Lent back in 2010. Not sure the Boss is going to let you slide on that one.”)
But much like my feelings on Valentines Day, I believe in the power of the calendar. It’s not such a bad thing to set aside a specific time to focus on prayer. For me, deciding to give up a bad habit or pick up a good one during that time is a way to reinforce that focus.
I don’t think I overuse the credit and debit cards, and we always pay our bills on time. Still, I tend to rely on them, and I make more impulse purchases than I would if I had only the cash in my pocket. So for the next 40 days, I plan to rely strictly on the cash in my pocket. We’ll see how it goes.
But first, I have to go to the bank.
7 comments
sunshinesprayer says:
Feb 17, 2010
Good for you Jennifer! I love the season of Lent. For me, giving up something for Lent has always ended up being a good thing. Once in awhile whatever I gave up actually stayed given up or used considerably less. I'll keep you in prayer for your 40 days.
hedanicree says:
Feb 17, 2010
I actually spend more when I have cash then if I have the cards. I already try not to use the cards because I"m mother's child and learned to budget at age 2. So, I hope flipping to cash from the plastic works out for you during Lent. Although technically, you'll have to give them up for 46 days and not 40. Lent is 40 days, but Sundays don't count. Go figure. I've never understood them. Me — well, I'm giving up the Pepsi, my addiction. We'll see how long I last without the caffeine.
brmfalk says:
Feb 18, 2010
Certain church backgrounds do indeed prepare you for this season, while others, notably just lumped together as "Christian", do not. Our home knew what was going on, however even though we did incorporate the chocolate bunnies and jelly beans as well. Does your local E church do the Shrove Tuesday waffle or pancake feed? I go to the one here every year. Love it!
I have never heard, by the way, that Lent did not include Sundays. I wonder why that would be???
tomsramekjr says:
Feb 19, 2010
Because Sundays are feast days that override everything else. We don't forget about the resurrection during Lent, so Sundays you get a sabbath from even Lenten sacrifices. That means, by the way, that those Girl Scout cookies you bought recently (you _did_ buy some didn't you? There's still time!) are OK to eat on Sunday. I wouldn't eat the whole box, but…
– Tom the Episcopal Priest (former Vicar of St. Alban's, Albany)
jennifermoody says:
Feb 19, 2010
Thanks for the reminder, Tom! I need to budget for Samoas, STAT!
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