There are a few thing things that I am doing/sacrificing in observance of Lent and I can say that I have officially ruined them all. That being said, I am glad there are still two weeks left!
What I had initially thought to be my easiest Lenten practice has actually turned into one of the most difficult. What is this easy thing you might be asking?
Praying before meals. Afterall, this is something that I do anyway but usually filter depending on who I am with. Catholic friends? Yay let's all pray! My sisters? I'll pray when you leave the room! My coworkers? I'll pray in the kitchen and then come eat with you! My other friends? Let's eat!
Here's the story of my first mishap. About a month ago we were cooking breakfast for all the teachers in my high school in celebration of National FFA Week. It couldn't have been much more than a week into Lent. And actually I was pretty happy that this breakfast deal didn't end up on Ash Wednesday like last year. :)
We had been cooking all morning and we had almost finished cleaning up. However, it was after 10 AM and therefore 2nd hour, which means I had kids in my other room. I grabbed a plate of food and took it to my other room. When I got to my room, I got my kids busy and took roll. I was getting ready to eat when I realized I hadn't prayed yet. Hmmm, crap. The logical thing would be to just pray and get over myself. Nope. I picked up my food went to the other attaching room and prayed. Then I came back in my class and ate my food. Yes, a work in progress.
For as many moments I have had similar to that, I have had moments where I have prayed in front of my students, sisters and random people I don't know. And it's not a big deal at all.
My reasoning behind this visibly praying before meals thing wasn't so I would seem holy to those who see me pray. It is because I know I filter too much. I don't like changing what I do based on who I am around. This is a small step for me to be more comfortable with who I am. I don't want to be Catholic only when I am around fellow Catholics. I don't want to be Christian only when I am around other Christians. Even if that means I have to be different.
"Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2
