WORST LENT EVER!

     We're only 8 hours in, and this is definitely the worst Lent I've ever had....and that's saying something (I once went 40 days eating only bread and water!).  Already, at this point, I've spent two and a half hours (and a gazillion dollars; although it was fun trying to find the stuff) shopping for food.  One night I even ditched my daughter who wanted to play basketball!  Then, I was up until 10:00 making stuff for today's first three meals (yes, only three of the five that I need today.)
      I made the shake.  Our friend told me to put it in the freezer, take it out in the morning, let it thaw for a couple hours and drink it.  I took it out at 4, it's 8 - still frozen.  I'm having carrots, cucumbers, celery and jicama (which, by the way, blows!) for breakfast.
      I know what you're saying, "Isn't there supposed to be humus with those vegetables?"  Well, I made the humus last night not knowing exactly what a clove of garlic was.  I used two whole things - my wife says that is bad for you.  No humus!
     Then, I made the quinoa, which is going to take 40 days just to learn how to pronounce, and even steamed some vegetables.  In the book it says to make this dressing - with apple cider vinegar.  I don't care what you put before it - it's still vinegar!  But, I made it.  And I mixed it up with the quinoa and vegetables.  I walked by dog for a half-hour last night, and still was about to throw up when I got home just from thinking about the smell.  I was sweating in my bed just thinking about having to eat that.
      Good news, I am fat (191 last night).  And if nothing else, this food will be so terrible that I won't eat for forty days and lose a lot of weight!  And as I eat this jicama, it kind of grows on you.
      It will definitely be an interesting 40 days - oops, there's my first of many flagulations!
     

THE BIGGEST SIN!

     Do you know what the biggest sin in the world is?  Before I tell you, let me share my morning.  I woke up at three.  You know the kind of waking up where you still lay in bed but aren't sleeping.  Thoughts of what I could do in the one class I teach started popping in my head.  Have an imaginary box delivered to my room.  Dress up like a pirate!  Quit, walk out, and have the kids teach themselves!  By 3:45, I'm up (even before the dog was ready to walk!)
     So, do you know what the biggest sin in the world is? Before I tell you, let me share what I just read.  Jesus is talking about the bucket and light thing.  You don't hide the light with a bucket, or something like that.  That's what I thought about when I was awake at 3a.m.  It's been a long time since I did goofy stuff in the classroom.  Call it laziness, lack of motivation, just trying to get by, not wanting to make a fool of myself - whatever the reason, it's been a while since I've really been the person God made me to be.
     So, about that biggest sin in the world?  Are you ready for it?  Actually, I've already told you.  Whenever we don't do something God made us to do, that's it!  Whenever we have a chance to let our light shine and don't, that's it!  Whenever we settle for doing something instead of doing something great, that's it!
     I think far too often God gives us these great ideas.  But, because they seem too crazy or would take too much energy or require too much time - we don't do them.  Those great ideas could change the world, one crazy idea at a time.
     So, the next time you get a little whisper from God, just do it!  If you don't, it may just be worse than anything on the Big Ten!