I Gave Up for Lent

By Madison Forrest | Photo by Lizzy Morearty

Honestly, Jesus was kind of real. I also enjoy being the center of attention sometimes and always act humbly. Lent is a time when we reflect and give up some vices to remember Jesus’ suffering.

Like Jesus, I also like bread and wine. Who am I to deny myself of a sacred treat?

Even though Jesus was never fully human because he never sinned and was divine, I, a human, can find a lot of similarities between him and me. 

Like Jesus, I have also been in my own desert or dry spell or whatever you call it, but mine has lasted longer than 40 days and nights. During this time, I have been fighting my own demons (caffeine dependency, the Big Mouth hormone monster, my embarrassingly long screen time, and black ice air fresheners).

Like Jesus, I am extremely kind, forgiving, and the Princess of Peace (I have an avoidant attachment style). 

Like Jesus, I’m constantly giving (up).

Lent is a period of self-sacrifice as a reminder of the 40 days and nights Jesus spent in the desert with the devil, where he only prayed.

In this time of reflection, I have taken on connecting with my peers to a more insightful and pensive degree (talking shit).

On the topic of shit-talking, Lent is low-key pick me. Like, what do you mean you’re giving up sucking on your ombré elf bar for Jesus? He could not give less of a fuck. There’s no way we are just accepting that giving up a sugary vice helps us to understand how Jesus suffered for us? 

I was already giving up before the Lenten season and am now on track to have fully given up by the end of it.