Take Off Those Stinky Shoes...Preparing for Lent

Ok, I admit it. I'm a horrible Christian. In the past I have given up things for Lent that would benefit me personally rather than bring me closer to Christ. Like one year I decided to give up French fries. I wish it was because every time I thought of eating French fries I prayed or thought about Christ's sacrifice, but the truth is I wanted to be healthier and lose a few pounds and Lent provided the perfect spiritual excuse for setting a goal I normally would have trouble accomplishing. Feeling guilty and realizing my motives were not pure, a few years ago I turned things around and instead of giving something up for Lent I tried to add a spiritual discipline. This worked and brought me closer to God but still left me feeling like I wasn't getting the true meaning of sacrifice. I think this year I finally have it.

This year I am going to give something up. The difference is instead of it being, food, social media, or something that I know I should be doing less of, I'm choosing to look at the areas of my life Christ wants to come in and change. Think of it like shoes. You know those cute flats that are so comfortable and go with everything but you can't wear socks with. Not wearing socks makes your feet stinky, but it doesn't matter you love these shoes and, they are comfortable, so you keep wearing them. 

I realize my life is like that. I have so many pairs of stinky shoes that God wants to come in and remove, but I hold onto them like the shoe fanatic I am. There are things like unforgivness, judgment, and much more that are taking up a lot of space in my closet. Honestly, they are stinking up my closet but because they are comfortable and I am ashamed to show my un-pedicured toes to the world I keep wearing stinky shoes.

I don't know about you but this year for Lent, I am going to try and take at least one of those pairs of stinky shoes and for 40 days give them over to God who makes all things new. Think of Him like the odor eater of your soul. For forty days I will try not to hold onto bitterness and judgment. It will be hard especially when my feet feel vulnerable and ugly, but I think they will finally be able to breathe and so will my family ;) 

All metaphors aside, take a look in the closet of your heart. Are you holding onto things that are stinking up your heart and soul? If you are, join me in a little spring cleaning this Lent and give those stinky shoes over to God who loves you...corns, calluses and all.