Candy or Fruit?

 

Candy or Fruit?

My big kiddos are 9 and 11 so this year for Lent we let them think about what they might like to fast from.  Dad and I usually fast from semi-difficult things… screens… soda… snacks and desserts... so I was interested to hear what they might suggest. 

First suggestion – sleep.  Well…  that’s not gonna work.  Next – school, chores, homework – you get the picture.

We asked them to think about what would really be meaningful to them to mark the season.  The purpose of a fast is to draw attention away from the ho-hum-drum of life and bring attention to the bigger, spiritual picture happening (usually in the background) of our lives.

Finally, they landed on … candy… and fruit.

Fruit?!?  “That’s a goofy thing to give up,” their aunt said.

But is it?

It was incredibly interesting (and awe-inspiring) to see these two navigate their Lenten season – sticking to their chosen fast through daily life and special events.

My daughter chose candy.  Now candy is not usually an everyday thing – it’s meant to be a special treat.  She could still have candy on Sundays (typically a rest-day from Lent) but she politely and determinedly passed-over candy during birthday parties, sleep – overs, even in school when the teacher handed out lollipops for the kids to suck on while they took their standardized tests.  For two days she brought home cotton candy flavored dumdums (her favorite!) and asked me to keep them safe for her until Sunday. She was very stalwart.

My son chose fruit.  At first, I think he may have been trying to get out of eating a portion of his daily fruit and veggies.  But, that’s the thing – he chose to fast from something that would affect him DAILY!  So while his aunt scoffed, he soldiered on…  not eating the “fun” fruit that we get at birthday parties (kiwis and raspberries and pineapple) …  eating red peppers and lettuce with breakfast instead of oranges and apples.  I can save candy for sister to eat on Sunday but saving kiwi and raspberries is a different story; their shelf life is less predictable.

So, who made the better choice?

I am super-proud of both of them.  For the most part, it was left up to them to keep their commitment.  There was no badgering or loop-holing on my part. I would help them explain their dietary restrictions when we ate at a new place but then I left it up to them to monitor what went in their mouths.  Often, they remembered better than I did, “mom, I can’t have that.”  I don’t think they broke their fast once!  Pretty impressive.  And, even more importantly, I think it made a spiritual impact on them as well.  Choosing to abstain, especially in tempting situations and away from mom’s eye, showed them the meaning of commitment and follow-through.  I pray that God blesses them for their courageous faithfulness.