Thursday, March 24, 2011

The Lenten Struggle


We all deal with the Lenten Struggles - the fasting, the giving up, the extra little penances we assign ourselves, etc. Sometimes it includes the crazy looks or ridicule you get from someone because you actually DO something for Lent.

Me? Oh, I went all out this year. So much so that my wife asked if I was feeling alright, and my father called me back and said "Okay, now you'll have to explain to me what led you to this decision." My sons wonder if Dad's train has gone around the bend for the last time. A co-worker laughed and then stopped himself and said "Wait - you're serious?"

I gave up - wait for it - watching my beloved Washington Capitals hockey team. Now, some people might say "Big deal", but you have to understand that, in many cases, weekend chores, errands and family dinners out during the week are scheduled around Capitals games.

My thinking went like this - of all the things I like, what would be the hardest thing to go cold turkey on? Yep, watching the Capitals. Especially considering the fact that the playoffs start LOOONG before Lent is over, so I'll be missing quite a few playoff games. When the playoffs are on, nobody in the family better be kicking the bucket, or getting married, or scheduling a funeral, because a man has to have priorities.

So yes, maybe in the grand scale of things, it ain't much, but like the little drummer boy, I do what I can.

Here's to a fulfilling Lenten season!

13 comments:

Anita Moore said...

I have given up doing beadwork on Fridays. I thought about giving up beadwork altogether during Lent, but lacked the courage. I have a very stressful job, and beading helps me stay sane.

Since tomorrow is a solemnity, I have decided to do my Friday beadless penance today. It is going to be hard, as I have nowhere to be and really nothing else to do this evening.

Paul Nichols said...

I've doing a little extra on Fridays also - I avoid Lipton Iced Tea, which is one addiction (along with chocolate chip cookies). Since I drink 1 - 2 bottles a day, it's a cross... :oD

Kenneth said...

LETS GO BLACKHAWKS!

The NHL fan from Illinois

Paul Nichols said...

Alright, Kenneth - let's not rub it in!

Actually, I was glad the Hawks won last season. At least you didn't say "Let's go Penguins!"...

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

You all was striked me for the hair shirt type.

BTW what ever happened to "Jihad, we will show them a jihad" I had to settle for, "When does the next crusade start" bumper stickers.

Anonymous said...

Go hawks! Check out our site for daily emails of the Catholic Mass http://thedailymassreadings.com

Anonymous said...

Hey Lent's over and your Caps are still playing.

Paul Nichols said...

Hey Lent's over and your Caps are still playing.
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Woo hoo!!!

It was tough, but I did it!

GlennK said...

Luckily, the Cleveland Browns don't play during Lent. Otherwise, you would have given me my largest Lenten challenge ever. :D

Paul Nichols said...

Hey Glenn, sometimes it's those greatest challenges us that draw us closer to Him!

GlennK said...

By the way, I meant to compliment you on your blog. Your cartoons are always on target! My favorite is still the 1970-2010 one (English Mass revisions).

Paul Nichols said...

Thanks Glenn!