Lent, a journey and keeping it real

As many of you know today is Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent. Lent as described in the dictionary
is: "The 40 weekdays from Ash Wednesday until Easter observed by Christians as a season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter."

Many observe Lent by typically giving up something. Facebook, chocolate, coffee, etc. I have done some of these in the past as well.
However this year I wanted to do something a little different. I wanted to not necessarily give up something but to work on something. I want to work on my walk. No not my physical walk. haha My spiritual walk.

So this year although I am still giving up something...sleep, I am mostly using this 40 days as a strengthening exercise.
So in preparation of the 40 days I was busy last night cleaning and making sure things were set right before I headed to bed.

I tidied up my kitchen. There really is nothing like waking up to a clean kitchen.

 I set up my coffee maker using my favorite coffee cup.

I set my alarm for WAY TO EARLY!!!!

For anyone that knows me well knows I am so NOT a morning person. However I really want to use this extra quiet time to just spend with HIM.

I have also decided that I want to start a study called SheReadsTruth: Prayer in the Bible.
My prayer life is in bad shape and I thought what better time to improve then to start now. :)

Anyone that wants to join me please do. I love company. :) I found this on the YouVersion app under devotionals.

So off to bed I went last night.

Well now in all fairness I need to share with you this morning.
It did not go quite as planned. Yes my alarm went off at that horrifying time, however I pressed snooze (a few times. :))
I didn't get up at 6:30 like I had planned on.
I didn't start off like I was wanting.


Now many of you might wonder why I am even adding this bit of information on here.
Well I am all about keeping it real.
I am not perfect.
You will notice I said things didn't go as "I planned".

The whole reason I am doing this is to grow in my journey.
I needed to remember that. I am not doing this for some sort of pat on the back. I am doing this for HIM.
I needed to remember to turn to Him. To put Him first in everything.
I needed to remember to let go of my control, and put HIM in control.

I did get up and have my breakfast and coffee and do my bible study earlier than I normally would get up. Just not as early as I had hoped.

So although it was not how I wanted to start Lent off, I still started it off with HIM first.

"For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen"