Today is Ash Wednesday which marks the beginning of Lent during which time many Christians give up some sort of vice or bad habit as an act of penance. The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigor during Lent are prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbor). Today, some people give up a vice of theirs, add something that will bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable purposes or organizations.
I was thinking about these things this morning, and what I might possibly give up, when I came across a story that said that British church leaders are encouraging people to give up their iPods for Lent. They believe this will help save the planet.
They said to give up technology such as cell phone and iPods and also suggested eating by candlelight, cutting meats and vegetables thinner so that they will cook faster and flushing the toilet less often. I actually think I could do all of those except for the toilet thing. I just can't use the toilet and not flush it. Maybe I could put some antibacterial wet wipes in the bathroom and use those instead of washing my hands....that might help save the planet. I don't know though. I just HAVE to flush and wash my hands. It's a good idea even if I can't bring myself to do it.
So how about you? Are you giving anything up for Lent?
