25 days of Lent left

There are days that are hard and there are days that are easy. I have been learning I am much more of an emotional eater than I thought I was. On stressful days I find myself walking over to the pantry and looking in to see what I can stuff in my face. I am so thankful for the commitment that I have made, and for God revealing to me what an unhealthy obsession I have with junk food. I am now 4 pounds lighter too!
My devotion time has led me to some really great verses, but my favorite one so far is Psalm 103: 1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

How great is our God!

What is Lent?

Every year I hear about what people are giving up for Lent. I have thought about doing it, but it wasn't until reading my friend Megan's blog http://jandmschmidt.blogspot.com/2011/03/fat-tuesday
just yesterday that I decided this is the year for me. I am going to give up all desserts until Easter. In addition to that I am going to read at least one Guidepost devotional everyday. I have always struggled with devotional time, and this will be a great way to dedicate myself to it for 40 days.
After a conversation with my sister today, as I was excitedly telling her what I was doing for Lent, she asked me a very important question. "What is Lent" My answer.."I don't really know. I think that it's a Catholic holiday". So I did so research, and it case you are wondering just as I was, here it is.

Lent in the Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. Lent is a time of sacrifice for Jesus. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, repentance, alms giving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and culminates in Easter, the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
According to the Canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent forty days fasting in the desert before the beginning of his public ministry, where he endured temptation by Satan.
This practice is common to much of Christendom, being celebrated by Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans.

So it isn't just a Catholic observance. Thanks Wikipedia :) I am so glad that my friend shared with me how she was not only giving up something, but also spending more time on God. I had always thought that it was just about self deprivation. I am excited to see how God will transform my life (both physically and spiritual) over the next 40 days.