I love Sister Mary Martha!

The good Sister blogs at Ask Sister Mary Martha, answering reader’s questions and dispensing helpful advice. Frequently witty and nearly always informative, she’s now a staple in my Reader.

Yesterday someone inquired about Lent and the Sister didn’t fail. After writing about giving up sweets this year, she throws in a caveat:

But… I don’t believe in giving up something for Lent that you need to do anyhow. Want to quit smoking and go on a diet? Do it on your own time. This season is about you and God, not about you and your waist size. At the end of Lent, you should be saying, “Wow, I have a much closer relationship with God now!” Not, “Wow, look how great I look in these jeans! Thank you, God!”

I’d toyed with giving up the blog again but rather than cut it out altogether I think I’ll excise only that part of blogging which is compulsive for me: Current events. So for Lent this year I won’t be reading news for hours each day, instead devoting that time to prayer and/or good works. The blog should reflect that… and probably be dull as dust.

It will be a challenge, but I’ll have my Lenten peeps and chocolate rabbits to strengthen my resolve.