Here we go!!! I came across this post from Lent three years ago, and laughed out loud.. I totally forgot about this conversation!
I hate when Lent (and therefore Easter) start this early. Just when I’m starting to slack off on my new year’s resolutions, it’s time to take up new ones, but this time guilt is attached to them.
8-year-old charge (that’s nanny lingo for “kid I babysit”) and I had a little chat about Lenten resolutions today that went a little something like this:
Charge: Brittany, what are you giving up for Lent?
Me: Honestly, I haven’t really thought about it much. Probably sweets. (I left out the fact that alcohol is likely happening as well, but I wouldn’t expect her limited earth-dwelling experience to understand. Truth is, I haven’t thought much about it yet. I’m still waiting for a thunderous cloud.)
Charge: (face falls) Oh. Sweets? I don’t think you should do that, Brittany. What if one of your friends has a birthday party and you want cake?
Me: Um, well, that’s kind of the point of giving something up. You give it up because you like it.
Charge: Oh. Maybe I’ll give up all food then.
Me: Have you ever heard of anorexia?
Charge: No. What’s that?
Me: Something bad. Don’t give up all food. You could end up in the looney bin. You’re eight. Keep it real.
Charge: Keep it real?
Me: Yeah, like, give up something simple like, chocolate or potato chips or something… You have time for the big guns when you’re old and decrepit like me (I see how this may imply that I pull out the big guns for Lent. Be not deceived, blog babes).
Charge: (not taking the hint by reaffirming my youth) Oh. OK. Something realistic… Like giving up eating Play Doh?
Me: Exactly. (notes to self: watch her closely when Play Doh is on the table during Ordinary Time, and hang out with her three-year-old sister, who tells me daily that I’m pretty, more often)
It’s amazing how much kiddos’ seemingly stupid insights can really turn the mirror to my own spiritual life. While her questions were completely innocent, and her insights, well, childish, as one would expect, I see how easily I justify things just as I would expect a child to do. Lent is a time of penance. We give things up as a sacrifice for the One we owe everything to.
I do not intend on giving up the consumption of Play Doh this year, but it is so tempting to be really simple about it. I do not know what I’m doing just yet, but my prayer for the next few days is that my intentions about it be pure, even if it means missing out on the occasional birthday cake.