March 5 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of 40 days and 40 nights of Lent for many Christians. What are you giving up? Or more importantly, what are you going to do?

Three things I learned about Lenten season 10 years ago by Father Lincoln at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert stayed with me. He said to fast on Ash Wednesday and Fridays, carve out more time for daily prayer, and do good works. He never mentioned giving anything up.

Yes, I’ll be hungry Wednesday and probably every Friday, craving a fat juicy steak that I’d normally not care about. It’s a funny thing when you can’t have something, you fixate on it.

Second, I will find time to pray more. I believe that prayers make a difference in this world. A few months ago, I downloaded an app on my phone you may have heard about called Hallow. I signed up for their Lenten prayers, which I will listen to and pray with every day throughout Lent. They will have prayers every day given by everyone from a priest, to a former minister to Gwen Stefani and Marky Mark. Currently, I’m listening to their Bible in a Year podcast and I’m on day 109. I find it so helpful for my daily life.

Third, there is the part about doing good works. I think that is most difficult of all.  Off the top of my head I don’t know what “good works” I can do. However, I am confident that if I keep my eyes open and look around me, I’ll see small ways where I can make a difference. 

I remember when my daughter was in kindergarten at her Catholic school. The kids had to tell the class what they were giving up for Lent. She said piano lessons! She hated piano.

I’d like to know what you are doing for Lent. If you think about doing good works, what would they be?