I often get tired of the biblical story of the Prodigal Son. I mean, we know the younger son goes off. Is reckless. Wishes he could eat the pigs’ food. No one offers him. He goes home. His father kills a cow. Gives him a ring. Elder son becomes jealous.
I feel sometimes that I know all the lessons in that parable. And maybe I do. Or maybe there’s more. You’ll see what I think below.
Some Orthodox churches use a missal on Sundays. Such that the readings from the bible are already printed in. So last Sunday, I opened up the page for ‘4th Sunday of Lent’ and realised the ‘reader’ wasn’t reading what I had in my book.
So I went back, to ‘3rd Sunday of Lent’ and still it didn’t tally. Clearly certain that she was reading from a wrong day, I handed the missal to Tee.
He opened up ‘5th Sunday of Lent’ and Ta-Dah. Correct readings.
I think I may have gasped. How could it be Fifth Sunday of Lent already? I think I may have gasped again when the priest said ‘So next week is Palm Sunday’. Palm Sunday!
But where did Lent go? I did not even give up anything for Lent. I mean Tee (and a host of other people) gave up alcohol, so I’m sure they are counting the days to Easter eagerly. It’s so weird watching him watch Arsenal’s match with a cup of green Tea. Haha. In place of a bottle of beer.
I used to look forward to Lent. To the physical giving up of something and/or physical discipline. Because I really believe that physical discipline leads to spiritual discipline. So giving up Instagram last year did me some good and I’ll often think of my spiritual goals when I got tempted to log into the app. (Does it count if I still often checked Tee’s Instagram… It probably does count, because all that’s on his page is Arsenal which was of no interest to me. How may Arsenal pages can one follow, please?)
This year I thought that with the whole blog launch thing, I needed my Instagram account to let people know there’s a new post. To be honest, I could have done without it. People only care for Holiday, Food, Bae and Fashion pictures on the ‘Gram.
I guess I shouldn’t really feel too bad. Instagram was probably not what I needed to give up. Last year, it must have been. Because just seeing some people’s photos may have made me feel less of myself.
During Lent, I also used to look forward to attending the ‘Stations of the Cross’ on Wednesdays and Fridays. The constant kneelings were painful. But recalling the story of Jesus’ sufferings and death didn’t dare give you the liberty to complain about kneeling. This year? Not even once. *sad smiley*
Back to my prodigal son story – Couple of weeks ago, we heard this parable at church. But this time, it spoke to me. The younger son realised himself and got up. He made the first move. That’s all I needed to hear. The first move.
So even though 40 days of Lent is almost over… I guess I can still make my first move.
All I really want to do is spend some time with my bible every single day. I check my blog every single day. So surely I can do this. Every time I check my blog, I hope it reminds me to check my bible. I’ve got it on my phone, so no excuses.
And I’ve taken the first step. Getting a journal.
Do you acknowledge Lent? Did you give up anything? How did that go? Are you generally trying to improve your faith? Journalling might help.
Love,
Kachee… Xx
pS: In other news, it’s almost Easter. Woohooo! Yes to two work-free days. Oh Bummer, the Americans don’t have Easter Monday as a work-free day… Anyway, have you got any plans?
Paula Olaitan Benedict
March 16, 2016 at 14:50Me likey… so I decided to give up food 6am – 6pm and it has gotten so bad that when I break the fast at 6pm I’m unable to eat but i try to take fruits and the cycle continues. I also didnt get to attend any stations of the cross but i plan to be fully involved in the Holy week activities. I completely agree that it’s the first move that matters, it’s never too late… and yes… I can’t wait for 2 days off work phewwww… much needed break. Weldone Tee’s bae…. Cheers!
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 16, 2016 at 14:55Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6am – 6pm everyday??? That’s awesome. May God crown your efforts immensely. Amen. Thank you!
Paula Olaitan Benedict
March 16, 2016 at 14:59Yes o… Amen! … it was a struggle for the first few days and still continues to be though alot better now.
Ijeoma Ucheibe
March 16, 2016 at 15:33Hmmmmn…I gave up ice cream and cake. I’m counting down to my ‘welcome back’ visit to Coldstone Creamery. That should count for something, i think….*closes laptop as boss steps into office unexpectedly
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 20, 2016 at 08:29Ice cream and Cake is a huge one. It does count for something! One more week to go. Xx
Adetutu
March 16, 2016 at 17:23Lool. from your write up i guess its not really about giving something up but infact taking something new and positive on board (like you reading the bible 😁 .
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 20, 2016 at 08:31It’s not indeed Tutu. But sometimes, by giving up something we love we are encouraged to give the money/time we would normally have spent on thing to charity or those in need. It’s generally about Fasting, Prayer and Almsgiving.
Ogonna_O
March 17, 2016 at 07:50Hi Kachi. Nice write up. I actually gave up series this lent and it hasn’t been easy. I also must admit a part of me is grateful Lent will be over before Game of Thrones begins because that would have been a hard one to give up.PS: I replaced my series time with reading time (more of inspirational books, Christian novels).
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 20, 2016 at 08:32Hahahaa @ Series. I’m not a huge fan, so that would have been easy for me. Maybe I need to actually watch GoT. Loads of people think it’s amazing. And well done for reading more Christian and Inspirational books!
KIKELOMO OMOTALADE
March 23, 2016 at 14:25Kudos to you……i had typed mine before reading yours. GoT lost me after they killed Lord Stark…….angry much….Kachi don’t watch it.
KIKELOMO OMOTALADE
March 23, 2016 at 14:24I used to like enjoy stations of the cross while in Secondary School(not a Catholic but i attended one),taking readings,raising hymns,listening to the priest……………..all of that asides the Sisters(they reminded me of the ones in The Long Road Home)………..the hardest thing for me would be not watching series.
Ogonna_O
March 23, 2016 at 16:02Thanks Kikelomo……..Now let’s discuss GoT. I recommend you give the series another chance, the show is getting better and better. Another series worth watching is “How to Get Away with Murder”. Kachi would also enjoy it cuz’ it involves law and other fun stuff.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
March 23, 2016 at 16:12I’ve watched Season 1 of How to get away with Murder!!! It was quite intriguing. Maybe I’ll pick up season 2 again..