The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Today is Ash Wednesday. It is a time when an old, old church tradition takes place in many churches around the world. In our church, Van Orsdel Methodist, in Havre, we save our palm leaves from Palm Sunday, burn them and the ashes of those palm leaves are applied to the foreheads of people participating in Ash Wednesday services in the form of a cross.

That signals that Lent has begun and will continue until Easter Sunday which, this year is April 16. Traditionally in many families, Lent is a time to sacrifice like giving up drinking or smoking or not eating meat on Fridays. Things like that. My father always gave up drinking for Lent, lost about 20 pounds and became a wonderful human being. Unfortunately Lent ended and it was back to the Budweiser.

Lately many families have decided to help others, rather than to give up something. In Big Sandy how about taking Lent to help with the Food Bank and relieve some of the pressure on others. Or volunteer to read at the library or mentor a student who needs help in say English or math. There are many ways of helping people and you might just find that Lent is not enough time to get your feet wet and so continue your project through the year.

And, for heaven’s sake, if you have the will power to give up smoking for Lent, don’t ever start again! It will help you and your health and those around you as well.

In my neck of the woods, there is a man who only smokes outside of his house so his family does not get gassed by second hand smoke. The only problem is that his smoke goes right into my fireplace chimney and I end up with a smoke filled living room. Talk about second hand smoke. I know just when he goes outside to smoke, winter or summer. But I digress.

We seem to be living in a topsy-turvy world these days. Political parties carry hate rather than hope and our country is as divided as it has ever been. What can you do about that for Lent and for other times? Easy. Join a political party and preach love rather than hate and you might be amazed at the difference it can make in influencing those around you to do the same.

Best of all for Lent is to try your best to be a better person. That is what I am going to do. I am going to try my best to live a life that will reflect good, rather than evil and I am hoping that will continue long after Lent is over this year! Meanwhile, happy Lent to one and all.