Memories of Lent

Photo by Thays Orrico on Unsplash

One of my earliest memories of Lent is asking my mom why people had black on their foreheads. Another one is my Sunday School teachers asking, "What are you giving up?" Kids usually picked easy things like chocolate. For me, that was no sacrifice—leave a bowl of chocolate out, and it sat untouched. Put out chips or nuts, though, and they'd vanish in minutes. So "giving up" chocolate felt meaningless.

Growing up in a church that mentioned Lent, I didn't truly understand it until much later, when God prompted me to study it deeply. We never practiced the ashes on the forehead.

Lent is the 40-day season (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Maundy Thursday (or Holy Saturday in some traditions), mirroring the 40 days Jesus fasted and faced temptation in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13 and Luke 4:1-13 contain the full story of Jesus being baptized and then taken to fast in the wilderness.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread." But he answered, "It is written,

"Man shall not live by bread alone,

but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Matthew 4:1-4

This season invites us to learn three core practices:

1. Reflection through prayer on God's faithfulness

2. Fasting to sharpen our focus on God's attributes

3. Service (often called almsgiving) to God through helping others.

These traditions vary by denomination. On Ash Wednesday, many churches use ashes from burned palm branches (from the prior year's Palm Sunday) and dried Advent greenery in their services. In the Catholic and liturgical traditions, the priests mark believers' foreheads with a cross of ashes as a sign of repentance. Most Protestant churches skip the ashes, but some use the day to launch a time of reflection, fasting, and service.

During Lent, we reflect on Scripture—memorizing and internalizing it in our hearts. Jesus demonstrated knowledge of the Word of God and its use to confront Satan after his 40-day fast. We draw closer to God by remembering Christ's sacrifice, death, and resurrection. He is risen indeed.

The discipline of fasting helps us focus on prayer rather than distractions. It can involve a full-day fast, a partial one (such as skipping meals or certain foods), or abstaining from something special (nuts for me or salty snacks). The key isn't just giving something up—it's replacing it with prayer. When hunger or cravings appear, pause, pray, sip water, and keep praying. Discomfort becomes a reminder to turn to God. Service completes the picture. When fasting for a full day, I set aside the money I'd spend on meals (assuming we'd eat out at every meal that day) and donate it at the end of Lent to a food kitchen or shelter. For smaller fasts, like skipping a favorite snack, I drop coins into a sealed jar every time temptation strikes—sealed because, honestly, I'm weak. My kids loved catching me eyeing it! If we decide to give up meat, the savings go in too.

A friend once challenged me: "Why not serve at a soup kitchen while fasting? Feel what those you help experience daily." Ouch—but she was right. Now we sometimes volunteer directly or prepare for mission trips. Service matters more than just money.

Lent closes on Maundy Thursday, recalling the Last Supper. Good Friday brings fasting and prayer to honor Christ's death. Holy Saturday offers quiet reflection on His triumph over death and hell. Then Easter explodes with joy: He is risen!

I have many memories of Lent, yet I'm still learning to embrace it fully. Military moves often pull my focus to packing and PCS dates instead of reflection. But each year, I grow—learning more about God's faithfulness, His character, and how to serve others and him.

Here are some practical ways to incorporate Lent into your daily life.

• Daily Scripture Reflection based on prayer: Setting aside a few minutes each day to read and meditate on passages related to hope, peace, joy, and love helps me center my thoughts on God's promises.

• Journaling God's Faithfulness: Write down moments where you have seen God's hand at work, which encourages you to remember His goodness, especially during difficult seasons.

• Fasting: Sharing my fast with my family holds me accountable.

• Acts of Kindness: Serving your community or engaging in simple acts of service remind us that the spirit of Lent is about giving and loving others as Christ did.

  
  

These practices not only prepare our hearts but also create lasting memories that teach our children about God's love in a meaningful way. What about you? What have you learned about Lent? What traditions mean the most to you?

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