It's that time of year again, every good Catholic gone bad's worst nightmare.
Lent.
A time to reflect on the things we've done wrong, that we KNOW we've done wrong. To confess our sins and repent. To attempt to do better, and try to grasp what a great sacrifice God made for us.
In many years past Lent has been a surface thing for me, get ashes put on your forehead, go to Jamba Juice, everyone knows your a Christian. Good to go. Even in the things I decided to give up for Lent, they were superficial and at best just a semi-Godly diet plan. Give up soda for 40 days for God?
Sure! Maybe I'll lose weight in the process.....never mind the fact that I can never do something for 40 days. I'm not a very consistent person, I change my mind constantly and I can always come up with another reason as to why, just this once it's ok. "We're on vacation!" "It's a federal holiday, I mean we're not expected to observe Lent too right?" "I decided to change my Lent fast to chocolate." Etc.
But all in all, they're excuses. Why am I unable to give up such a small thing in the effort to truly remember what God has given up for me? Most likely because I just didn't want to. This past year my relationship with God has grown in ways I never imagine and I really wanted to make it something that would help remind me of that sacrifice, that would strengthen my relationship with God, not just make it another thing I could somehow work my way around if I knew enough loop holes.
I thought of giving up social media, which wouldn't be bad, mostly Instagram just stops me from eating my meals right when they're done cause I have to take a picture but all in all innocent. I thought of giving up meat or grains or dairy. But all of those we're just diet variations for me and when I'm not eating those things I'm not thinking of God, I'm thinking about how annoying it is that I can't eat those things.
I've prayed about it and it keeps coming back to the same thing, my negativity. I get this adorable trait from my Father, thanks Dad! And I'm sure I've only added to it myself. In general I wouldn't say I'm negative but I think I'm confusing negativity with complaining. I can be positive, it has happened and I have become a more positive person than the surly pissed off 18 year old I once was but this certain dude I live with has commented on my negativity more than a few times. Sorry babe.
So for 40 days I will TRY to not be negative. I am certain I will fail many times. But I will try, to see the good in things, the positives in myself and my life. The beautiful wonderful life God has provided me and in my positivity I will remember him. I can't be negative about myself, my looks, my weight, etc if I truly want to honor God who gave me this body in the first place. I already feel like this has rubbed off a little bit on Lily and the thought that she would think badly of herself at such a young age because I am so negative about myself is devastating. No negative talk about other people, also known as gossip. You caught me. And my biggest killer, negativity about my home. It is easy for me to get caught up and anxious about what I CAN'T do that I never focus on what I CAN do. What I HAVE done. So time to let it be, let God's love remind me of all the positives in my life and how blessed I truly am.
And food! We're leaving for Orlando, Florida on Sunday, yeay! For about a week so I've been cooking/eating everything in the fridge to get ready for this. I made the mistake of buying a Costco pack of cucumbers last week and still had 2 left that were not long for this world. I decided pickles were the way to go! Seriously easy, so easy to adapt and change and tasty! I made these and ate them a few hours later and they were already delicious.
Mama Cole's Sweet & Spicy Fridge Pickles
[This recipe makes enough for 2 - 16 oz. Mason jars. Divide each amount into two, half in each jar.]
2 English Cucumbers, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1/2 cup Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar
4 tsp. chili pepper flakes
1/4 cup sugar
2 cloves of garlic, smashed
2 tbs. Kosher salt
Water
[1] In the bottom of each mason jar put apple cider vinegar, chili flakes, sugar, garlic cloves and salt.
[2] Place lids on jars and shake to dissolve sugar and salt.
[3] Add cucumber slices to jars and then fill to the top with water!
[4] Seal and place in fridge!
I like my pickles crunchy so I eat mine right away but you can let them sit for up to a month.
Enjoy! This recipe can easily be adapted for more or less. If you don't like spicy omit the pepper flake, if you want to make dill pickles omit the sugar and chili flakes and add fresh dill and peppercorns. Try out your own combos and have fun!
