Hello, Lent. Good Bye, Coffee.

Yesterday was Fat Tuesday. Did you eat enough? I, myself, indulged in a Chipotle burrito that I later regretted as I laid in bed cuddling with a nasty case of heart burn. My queen size bed was definitely not big enough for the two of us as my hyper indigestion demanded attention from my exhausted burrito stuffed body. Let’s just say that I truly put the Fat in Fat Tuesday.

Now it’s Ash Wednesday, my burrito has been digested and it’s the start of Lent. Traditionally, Christians “give up” something enjoyable over the next 40 days to represent the sacrifice JC made, and for me, my annual Lenten sacrifice is a way of making up for all the 325 unholy days in my year. I take this Lent thing seriously and have decided that I will put my mug down, say good bye to my Starbucks barista and give up.... wait for it... COFFEE... dun dun DUN.

If you know me, you know I love me a good cup o’ joe. And I’m not just a Starbucks snob, no sir. I enjoy my java any way I can get it; Folger’s at home, a good old fashion brew at a diner, and yes, even a cup of capitalism at a ubiquitous coffeehouse. By hanging up my coffee mug for the next 40 days, I’m giving up something that has become a daily comfort and by saying farewell to my beloved drink of choice, I’m presenting myself with a challenge and that’s what a Lenten sacrifice is all about.

For you cheaters out there, giving up TV when you barely turn on the tube or deciding to drink less cocktails when you’re averaging only one glass of wine per week, will send you straight to Hell. Okay, that was a bit dramatic, but giving up something that isn’t truly a physical and mental sacrifice doesn’t really count – why even bother then?

But the more I think about, it does seem a bit ridiculous that modern society has determined that if you truly enjoy and depend on something like candy, smoking, coffee or all of the above, giving up your guilty pleasure is a fair trade for a holy figure’s life. Well, wait. Did they even have coffee when Jesus around?! If Jesus had access to a Jerusalem Starbucks, I think he’d agree that us modern folk who give up espresso is his honor are truly dedicated to faith. But seriously, how can giving up a truly trivial habit represent the ultimate sacrifice? Although, in our current day and age, it’s not very realistic for me to pack up and tromp through the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. I don’t have 40 days vacation built up yet.

However, I don’t think trudging through sand or giving up something that could drastically impact your life in negative way is what JC would have wanted from us. No matter how small your Lenten sacrifice, it’s still a sacrifice... but, remember... if you don’t like chocolate and decide that you’re giving it up, you’re just lame and I hope you choke on a piece of non-chocolate candy.

Chocolate and Starbucks aside, times have changed and no matter what religion you are, how you decide to express your faith is up to you as long as you know you aren’t cheating yourself or what you believe in. I have a very good friend who just left for Israel to really experience her Jewish roots first hand and she the epitome of faithful dedication. For me, I think I’ll stick with my 40 day coffee hiatus to show my own religious commitment. Baby steps... baby steps.