Here We Go Again…

Article by SS Scoop writer Angela Kim

Yup! Lent is here again and it’s that time of the year when I stop eating meat, run away from junk food, and exercise every morning because I’m sure God wants me to lose some weight and get in shape. Or am I? Lent is a season for us to prepare for Easter, not for our next school dance. Lent is not a season to give up something for forty days, but to change our lives to be closer to God. This year I didn’t know what to give up, so my cousin told me to do something extra instead. So we decided to pray the daily rosary and read the Bible daily. And since this takes at least 20 minutes, I am also giving up Facebook. Only now I realize how addicted I was to Facebook and I am glad I talked to my cousin before choosing my Lenten promise. But when I told my mom about my promises, she was a little disappointed. She said, “Instead of doing all that why don’t you start simple and clean the jungle you call a room?” Then I thought…but that’s gonna be so hard! After I thought for a while I came to the conclusion that my mom was right. If the mess in my room upsets her so much, I think I could make my bed every morning and restrain from throwing a pile of clothes on it everyday. But… it’s only the second day and I already have a couple of shirts hidden under my blankets. This year’s Lent is going to be the hardest for me because my room really is a problem. It does not take me away from God, but it makes my mom upset. Praying the rosary and reading the Bible are not going to be easy but I actually like doing those. I advise you to examine what you have to change in your lifestyle. Giving up meat, for example, is good if it is done for the right cause. I have to say last year I gave up meat and it was not for the right reason. You don’t have to fast for forty days. If you’re not close to God, just wake up in the morning and say good morning God. If you are addicted to Facebook like I am, give it up. I assure you there are many other things to do on the internet. I watched hundreds of Youtube videos, created a blog, and read articles about Lent in two days. If you really don’t know what to do, pray about it, and God will tell you what you have to change! So good luck with your promises and may God be with you during this Lent.