In the midst of the season of sugar, spice, and everything nice (Yes, I mean Valentine's Day!), it can be hard to appreciate the season of Lent. Many people during this Christian season give up something in their life that they believe to be "self-consuming" so that they can better focus their heart, mind, and soul on Christ instead of material things.
Sounds cool, right? Dutiful even-- the servant life that many devoted believers strive for as the purpose of their life.
But can we, for just a second, take a second to vent about Lent?
As a 20-something college striving-to-be-a-devoted-Christian woman, it can be difficult to really give up anything at all. What do poor college kids give up when they're scrounging for money and food as it is? Are the "little things" that many Christians give up during Lent-- chocolate, sweets, pop, cheese-- really "worth it" when these things are so hard to avoid in college life?
And let's just touch on how difficult it can to be to keep from enjoying our favorite things. For this Lenten year, I gave up sweets of any kind and the use of an elevator. I have multiple exams coming up that are sky-rocketing my stress levels, in addition to the monthly rise of female hormones. Do you know how bad I want to sink my teeth into a chocolate bar?! And that class on third floor after coming in from negative temperatures, with a heavy backpack? Do you think I want to climb those stairs?!
So, if this giving up thing is so difficult, why do countless numbers of believers partake in the festivities of Lent? Why do we purposefully frustrate ourselves? What is the point, really?
Perhaps the point is so that we can gather in our weakness and complaints with other believers and share a community of frustration. Perhaps the point is for us to realize how much time and devotion we both spend and give to material items.
Perhaps, the point is to not give something up, but instead gain something.
We're gaining love by losing love we give to other things. 
