Small Sacrifices

With today being the start of Lent, I've been challenged by reading a few other blog posts centered around what other's are sacrificing for this 40-day period of time. It's slightly embarrassing to admit, but even growing up in the Catholic Church and over 10 years of observing the 40 days of Lent, I still don't think I totally understood why we gave up something before Easter. Last night my devotional was focused on this topic, and this excerpt stood out to me:

"When I fast from something I normally enjoy, every craving for that food or drink or pastime reminds me of how much more Jesus gave up for me."

Hello light-bulb moment! THIS is why we give up something we enjoy for 40 days. It centers our hearts and minds around why Easter is so important - why we celebrate the sacrifice Jesus made for us so we could be free from the bondage of sin, have a relationship with God, and rejoice that He is risen!

So, little scrumptious square of Oliver's milk chocolate before my nap, I will not be seeing you for forty days. I will surely miss you. (Oh, will I miss you!) May this be a humbling reminder of all that has been sacrificed for me.