The sign at the local barbecue joint is advertising “Fried Fish on Friday.” That means only one thing: Lent.

I went to a Baptist church when I was growing up and we didn’t observe Lent. However, I had lots of friends who were Catholic. I’d hear them discussing what they gave up for Lent: chocolate, dessert, meat. Since I didn’t understand what Lent was all about, I couldn’t understand the giving-up-something. I figured if they gave up something then they must think that something was bad for them and they should never have it. Otherwise, why would they give it up?

Then I became a Presbyterian as an adult and we do observe Lent. Now I understand that Lent is the 40-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes with Easter. The focus of Lent-observers is on prayer, penance, sacrifice and good works in preparation for celebrating Easter. Fasting is used to demonstrate self-examination and self-denial. Giving up something is part of the fasting. Duh! I should have figured that out.

What does Lent mean to you? Is Lent part of your normal spiritual observance? Or is it a strange, unfamiliar tradition as it was for me?

While you’re thinking about how to answer those questions, listen to the story about the original Woodpile Kitty and the lesson she taught me about Lent. This link will take you there: Lesson About Lent. If you have been a reader of this blog for a while, the story may be familiar. I told it in the post titled “Road Trip: Detour, Part Three. Sorry for the repeat, but it’s become my theme story. That’s why this is the Woodpile Kitty blog.

The video is on the website of mmLearn.org which is a service of Morningside Ministries. The website was created and designed for caregivers, both those who work in care facilities and those who care for loved ones at home. “A Lesson About Lent” is one presentation in their Prayers for a Caregiver series. Give it a listen. I hope Claude’s story will inspire and encourage you as it has encouraged me.

May you hear the voice of Jesus during this Lenten time of penance and reflection.