40 Days

I am not one to resist offers for all things chocolate.  I dream about Little Debbie Fudge Brownies. I often survive a “challenging” day, knowing that I can reward myself and indulge once the kiddos are asleep.  Silly, I know, but it’s me!   You may know where I am heading with this…. LENT!  The big four letter dirty word.

This year I decided to challenge myself to the ultimate sacrifice.  No milk or dark chocolate for forty days.  Forty…………… long…………. days.  I may have shared but I gave up all things chocolate just before my sister was married in the fall.  I committed to five days but felt so great that I continued on for two weeks.  It felt powerful being in control and honestly my body thanked me.  Then I indulged and I haven’t stopped since.  I admit it, I am a mindless eater.  So much of my day and social gatherings surround food.  It’s life and I am partake. 

When I originally committed to forty days without chocolate, I have every intention of following Lent as my Babci practiced.  That is, Sundays you are allowed to treat yourself to that which you have sacrificed.  Heck, I can go 6 days, knowing that on day 7 I will be in heaven, right?  Not so bad…

Well, my plans changed.  Mike decided to give up alcohol for lent.  That’s a biggie on his list.  He enjoys nothing more than a good glass or wine or beer at night.  I am so proud of him.

When Sunday rolled around last week, I was SO excited to have the brownie {or entire box} that had been waiting for me for the previous 5 days.  Early on in the day {before I indulged} Mike asked me if I was going to “cheat.”  I strongly dislike that word and didn’t want to be seen as a cheater….  I also wasn’t going to give in when Mike announced that he was going to go 40 days without a break on Sundays.  No way will I let him one up me! 

So here we are… 10 days in and I’m still going strong.  Yes, I’ve given into other sugary treats only to decide in the end that I still wasn’t satisfied.  We are 1/4 of the way there… not too bad.  I’ve already informed Mike that he can gladly have the Little Debbie delivery man pull up to our front steps Easter morning to deliver several cases and win the BEST husband ever award.  I even offered to return the favor stocking our wine rack and beer shelf in the fridge.  But in the grand scheme of things, we are sacrificing for a reason.  It’s not just giving up, its filling up…. on Jesus.  During these moments when I find myself most tempted, I turn my thoughts to all that we have been given and the ultimate sacrifice that has been made for us with no strings attached.  So… here’s to the remaining 30 days and all that I have yet to learn and refocus on! {And of course to the little brownie temptations to await me on day 40}