I craved a juicy sirloin patty from my local meat market. They season them well and my mouth watered at the thought of the flecks of blue cheese in the patty. I decided to treat myself!

The line at the meat counter was long for an early afternoon, but I was rushed to the head of the line because I was the only one buying red meat! The fish monger worked feverishly weighing and packaging fish fillets for the growing line. I guess he noticed the scrunched up wrinkles on my forehead as I tried to figure out what was up. He saved me an extra dose of wrinkle cream by explaining.

“We’re always busy during Lent.” he said.

“Oh, that’s right. Doesn’t that happen right before Easter?” I asked. The crowd looked at me like I was from another planet.

“Yes, that’s right.” He stifled a laugh.

I laughed at my own silliness and explained I was a Baptist girl, so didn’t totally understand Lent. An idea popped into my always rambling brain–this could be a great ministry moment!

Looking at the crowd, I bravely asked, “So, what’s Lent all about?”

Silence.

“How long does it last and why is it done?”

More silence. The crowd exchanged glances, and it became obvious they didn’t know why they were in the fish line, much less following Lent!

Finally, a woman five spots back in the line spoke up. “Lent is for 40 days in observance of the days Christ was tempted by satan in the desert.”

“Awesome! I didn’t know that. So why do you have to give up stuff during Lent?”

“You don’t have to, it is a personal choice to show respect for the sacrifice Christ made for us.”

The crowd agreed by show of their in-unison bobbleheads. But I was focused on the brave woman who spoke up and knew why she followed this tradition. Her conviction resonated to my core — I want to be a part of Lent! I want to show my respect for my Savior. I want to be in prayerful thought leading up to Easter and I want my time to be personal–between me and my Lord.

Lent doesn’t belong to any one religion, just like Passover and the Passover meal doesn’t just belong to our Jewish friends. I believe we should honor our Lord in our daily lives and I’m excited to do that this season by experiencing Lent. I’m starting late, but God knows my heart!

I found a fun recipe for us today. It’s from the Weight Watcher archives and is suitable for the season!

Matzo Crunch (2 points for 1/4 sheet)

4 boards Matzo (salted or unsalted, but the salted adds to the flavor!)
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 1/2 oz. bittersweet chocolate
2 sprays cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil; cover foil with parchment paper. Arrange matzo on parchment in a single layer; set aside.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine butter and sugar and bring to a boil over medium heat; boil for 3 minutes. Evenly drizzle butter mixture over matzo.

Reduce oven temperature to 325ºF. Place cookie sheet on middle rack in oven for 15 minutes (check frequently to make sure it doesn’t burn). Remove matzo from oven; sprinkle with chocolate. Let it stand for about 5 minutes, then spread the chocolate over each sheet with a spatula that’s been coated with cooking spray.

While still warm, cut each matzo into four even pieces; spread into a single layer on a metal pan. Freeze matzo until chocolate sets, about 20 to 30 minutes.