Lent:/ Lent is the period of 40 days before Easter in the Christian calendar; it is a time of reflection for many Christians as they prepare to remember and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lent is celebrated before Easter as a way for Christians to to mimic and understand the temptations that Jesus faced when He was in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights. In my church it is reflected as someone either taking on or giving up an item for those forty days whether it is an item of food or taking on reading the bible it is in some way a way for us to challenge ourselves to be like Jesus and face temptations.

I always have a hard time knowing what to give up or even take on, in the past I’ve done taking on reading or taking on a workout challenge. It was always easier for me to take on something rather than giving it up. But this year I was already facing a yearly reading challenge and the workouts I do are hard enough so I decided to give up something.

Coffee.

Now I do adore coffee but before these 40 days I never thought I needed it and still don’t. It was never something I felt like I relied on but it was definitely always a good option to have. Now… I never thought that I would actually crave the taste of coffee or even the way what it warms my soul. I at one point believed that after this was all over it that I may never drink coffee again. I was wrong, 

During this trial I faced a lot of times where I not necessarily needed it but I really really really wanted it. Coffee as my only source of caffeine besides when I occasionally drink pre-workout. So when I say that I certainly faced temptation this time around, I did. Between the early morning and late nights, the extra shifts and daily stress, I never knew how much I actually drank coffee. But I was able to face my life differently in the end. Because of my lack of coffee I was able to focus more on my water intake and in case you didn’t know, a crisp bottle of water in the morning can wake you up pretty fast and if you add a little citrus to your water the wake up lasts even longer. But believe me, I feel you if you still want that cup of joe. I almost ran and got a cup at the end of the Saturday night service but instead I waited until the morning of. 

Blessed for temptations and things that bring us closer to God.

with love,

c.p