11 Ideas for Lent '11 — Restoring Eden

11 Ideas for Lent '11 — Restoring Eden

For some people, giving up something for Lent seems too old-fashioned, too Catholic or too religious. But I find the practice of giving up something for Lent particularly beneficial. It trains us in self-sacrifice, focuses our minds on God and prepares us for Easter. It's so easy for us to think of Easter as just another religious holiday and an excuse to do some shopping. When it follows Lent, we are reminded of how important and special it is.

It's kind of ironic that we have gotten out of the practice of self-sacrifice for Lent right when we need it most. In our time of over-consumption and wastefulness, perhaps what we all need is an exercise in doing without.

This article has some really good Lenten ideas from an environmental perspective, including refocusing your spending habits, considering where your food comes from, giving up coffee and avoiding buying plastic.

Sometimes the problem of environmental destruction seems too big. There is too much that we should be doing. We can't do it all, so we do nothing. But giving up at least something for Lent should be achievable for anyone. And it's at least a start.