You'll find a 2022 update on this Lenten plan at the bottom of this post.
Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday and of course, Mardi Gras. It’s the one last day to celebrate before Lent begins the next day on Ash Wednesday. Old traditions of using up rich foods like butter, eggs and milk before sacrificing on plainer foods during Lent led to the last-minute pancake feast. “Shrove” comes from the old English word, “Shriven” which means to say you are sorry, or a confession of sorts, which is what you do before beginning the season of Lent.
Several churches in our area have started hosting pancake breakfasts on this day, but with Mardi Gras being such a big deal here (remember, Mobile Alabama was the birthplace of American Mardi Gras, so our schools are on holiday and many businesses are closed), most people focus on the party with Moon Pies and beads rather than a pancake breakfast.
I love a good breakfast, but have to admit not liking to jump into the kitchen first thing in the morning, so I confess, we had this pancake stack as our supper last night. I snapped a few photos because it all looked so pretty. I love having breakfast for supper.
And then comes Lent. Sorrow for what we’ve done, and hope for a fresh start with the beauty of Easter only 40 days away. Giving up something or taking on a new challenge. A task that reminds us daily of the ultimate sacrifice and redemption of Easter.
Refocusing and trying to do better. That’s what I’ve been taking away from church lately . . . do better.
Matthew 5:44 — easy for you perhaps, but I’ve never been a fan . . .
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
So in a world of sickness, disasters, terrorists, and political anger, I’ll spend each day doing better. Once a day, I’ll pray for someone I don’t like. I don’t want to call them “enemies” because I don’t see them that way. They’re just people I know who have gone rancid. They’ve become angry about the world and feel like it’s okay to take it out on others.
I love being around people, but when they become so negative and hurtful, it’s hard. The only thing I know to do (other than to try and choke them), is to pray for them. I mean, there was one person who teased my Dad because he’d had a stroke. What kind of person does that? Doesn’t he deserve to have his tail kicked? And because my best talent, other than twirling the baton, is holding grudge, I’m about to go nuts. Prayer is the only way to save his life and not give myself a heart attack. It honestly leaves a bad taste in my mouth to mention this man’s name in prayer, but the more I do it, the easier it becomes.
Pray for one jerk a day during Lent. One at a time. I’ll have to repeat names, because thank goodness, there aren’t 40 of them. It’s something I don’t want to do, so it will truly be a Lenten journey of growth. I hope.
I’ll let you know how things turn out with my plan. Either I’ll draw closer to God and learn forgiveness . . . or my head will explode. It could go either way. Do you have plans for Lent?
And Happy Mardi Gras to you!
****UPDATE- February 2022 – this story was written on the very front edge of the COVID disaster, and now, I hope I’m writing on the tail end of it. I can report that when it comes to praying for those who have hurt us, it truly works. In each case, God made it clear to me that these people are often hurt or flawed in some way and for whatever reason, can’t really deal with it, so they lash out at others. I remembered the saying, “some people are so broken, they hate those who are whole.” I prayed for them, but I was the one who changed. I truly developed pity for those who are hurting and expressing it inappropriately. — Happy Lenten season 2022!
Shrovetide – great! I also baked pancakes with condensed milk !!! Om-Nom-nom
Sounds delicious!
Very inspiring Leslie Anne, and I love breakfast for dinner!
Thanks Jenna. We added a little Conecuh sausage to the meal as well!
How timely! I just got home from the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper at church. It was cooked by our college students, and they prepared a feast. I really like your idea of praying for people who have treated you badly. Leslie Anne, you are a true Proverbs 31 woman. May Lent be filled with peace, grace, and understanding for all of us.
Thank you Roxanne. Every day is a struggle to live like we should. It’s a journey we should share together. I love the idea of your college students serving the breakfast. It’s a great way to continue teaching the faith — and there are pancakes involved! Blessings to you during Lent.
chose=chosen…
I am a stickler for that, but I can’t see as well as I am approaching 60:)
All this talk of pancakes today has me wishing I had pancakes on the menu tonight. I was even going to make these orange rolls in the new Southern Living today for Fat Tuesday, but alas the day is getting away from me. Too many appointments. The pot roast in the crock pot will have to suffice, but it is not sounding nearly as good now:)
I think you have chose a wonderful way to reflect on Lent this year – although I simply can’t imagine someone being so thoughtless. Well, yes I can and it is horrid. Darn those people; they make life a bit harder. Great choice for your time though. You will be better for it even though it will probably be hard.
I didn’t get to comment on your last post because I have a terrible phobia of snakes. LONG story. I didn’t dare even go look for fear you had a picture. Those pesky little boogers do like this time of year coming.
First of all, pot roast sounds great. I’ll bet your house smells wonderful. Thanks for the words of encouragement for my Lent plan. I take comfort in knowing there are still far more good people than bad. And finally . . . yes, there were pictures of snakes, so don’t look! Thanks so much Sandy.
I have never thought of praying for someone I didn’t like for lent but I am going to do that this year. Thank you for sharing. I have always asked my family to give up something for lent that would help them be more like Jesus like an attitude or behavior they need to work on instead of candy. Your recommendation certainly fits.
It wasn’t one of the “big 10” carved into stone for Moses, but loving and praying for our enemies was a command given at another time. So . . . I guess it was a pretty big deal for us to do, even though it’s hard. Thanks and happy Lenten season to you.
You are a better woman than I am. I do admire your honesty. Nobody ever said Matthew 5:44 was easy.
It’s like when the Gators tied a football game with FSU Seminoles and Coach Bobby Bowden said, “It’s like kissing your sister.” Praying for hurtful people is nasty, yet sweet because of who told us to do it.