Looking for Loopholes: Thoughts on my Lenten Discipline

One day later, I’m already looking for loopholes.  Man it’s going to be a long 39 days and counting.  The thing is, even though I used to teach this stuff, I’m still a little fuzzy with the distinction between discipline and punishment.  The word discipline literally means to teach, while the word punishment means something entirely different.  Yeah, well, tell my inner-child that.  The one sitting in the corner with boo-boo lips because she’s not supposed to doctor her de-caffeinated coffee with anything sweet.  This morning, the self-talk sounds a little like this:

“If I give up all sweets, does that really include Splenda?”

“If I give up chocolate, that means I can’t eat M&M’s while watching baseball tonight.  So how am I supposed to watch baseball?” 

“If I give up complaining, God, perish the thought!”

I received an email from a friend sharing an Ash Wednesday reading from the sermon of Lancelot Andrews which was preached before King James I on Ash Wednesday, 1619:  “Yet even now, says the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing.  Return to the Lord, your God.”  (Joel2:12-13).           

So it’s not about the Splenda?           

 Guess I need to learn a little more about it.  Carpe Diem ya’ll, Michele