I am giving up people-pleasing for Lent. God has given me plenty of opportunities to observe this behavior since Ash Wednesday. Now I'm working on changing the behavior. One thing I've decided is that if I want to say something only to please someone else, I need to say the opposite, which is what I really need to say. I've put a stop valve on my true thoughts, which originate from God, for too long. I've asked God to remove the people-pleasing, that means I have to do the footwork. Darn!

Giving up meat on Fridays means I'm obsessed with hamburgers, chicken, and lunch meat until I can eat them on Saturday. And I'm not even a big meat eater! But I just wolfed down several pieces of ham and salami (thank God they were sliced thin).

OK, I also gave up potato chips. Since then, I've been having dreams about the crisp, oily, salty delicacies that satisfy my snacking craving.

My Lenten goal to increase prayer, including family prayer time, has been very satisfying. This fills up where the sacrifices left off.

Take my survey or drop me a comment about what you are doing for Lent. Is it helping you grow closer to God?

It would be appropriate to trust in God instead of some phony set of rules I created for myself.

So I pray,
Lead me Lord today that your will may be done through me. Help me let go of outcomes and focus on the next right thing as guided by you. Help me remember that I can choose flowers or manure and that I'm not responsible for what others choose. Help me to honor you above all things.

A Little Prayer

Lord, you take care of me regardless of my level of trust. But if I trust in you, my life becomes simpler, easier and less stressful. I don't complicate it with worry, busy work and fretting because I am at peace. I've freed myself to enjoy life.

Thank you Lord for all the gifts you have given me and all the blessings you continue to bestow. I ask your blessings over all my friends and family.

I pray especially for my mother in-law and father in-law as well as for my friend Gerry, recently diagnosed with terminal liver cancer.

Amen.