today is ash wednesday, the first day of the lenten season. so last night at supper we're explaining to the boys that for the 40 days of lent, we give something up that we really like to help remind us of the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross.

i start:
"i'm going to give up mt. dew."

then goes dad:
"i'm giving up all forms of chocolate...even cappuccinos"

(big gasp from the wife, who knows how much he loves his cappies)

my oldest son goes first:
"i'm going to give up video games and television."

stunned silence.

the husband says, "this is for 40 days. that's seven weeks."

oldest son:
"i know."

ok...suddenly my can of pop seems quite insignificant.

then younger son pipes up:
"i'm going to give up junk food."

more stunned silence. this is the kid who would eat sugar out of the bag for breakfast if he could.

i say: "ALL junkfood? for 40 days?"

he nods, triumphant that he's found something BIG to offer.

the husband and i are squirming at the table. we know that we shouldn't talk them out of these big "sacrifices" but we also both know that the foll0w-through could be painful. but that's the whole point, right?

still. i could see the husband's wheels turning. no tv for the big kid probably means no tv for all of us. and it's hockey season. i'm thinking of an 11 hour drive to montana this march without video games to keep the kids happy all the way. we're both wondering if the little one will starve to death without junk food.

we reiterate that the boys have to stand by their words. they both shake their heads solemnly.

this morning, big J wakes up as usual and runs out to the living room. only this morning, he doesn't turn on the TV. no spongebob. no patrick. then he says "mom, when you drive over for hockey tonite, don't bring my nintendo ds. i gave it up for Jesus."

you know, i think Jesus is the ONLY person in the world who could get my son to willingly give up his video games. and isn't that cool?