It is already Lent, and many Christians may have decided to give up alcohol, coffee, or their favorite dessert. This year I chose a more untraditional sacrifice. Here’s why I gave up showers for lent.
During Lent you’re supposed to sacrifice a luxury. And if you’re like me, you know how amazing a nice, hot shower can be. It used to be that I would take showers for 30+ minutes. Even though I knew it would be hard, I knew not showering would be the best sacrifice I could make. As a plus, my water bill would drop significantly, so it’s like I’m getting paid to observe Lent this year #twoforone.
But are showers a luxury or more of a necessity? Well, refer to the scripture. It’s not like the people in the Bible could take showers. And with the current homeless problem, there are plenty of those around us who don’t shower. This Lent I will uniquely experience this plight firsthand.
With so many good reasons to skip showering, you may think that I have not struggled to keep with my sacrifice. But you’d be wrong. I almost reverted to my old ways when I was volunteering at a local charity that gives horse rides to prematurely balding men. While leading one of the horses into its stable, I tripped on my limited-edition Gucci designer bag. I flung forward, landing head first into a pile of horse droppings. Although the old me would have immediately jumped in a hot shower and scrubbed myself for days, I reminded myself of my Lent sacrifice. So instead I quickly rinsed myself off and recited the Hail Mary prayer while cleaning between the beads of my rosary. Oh how He works in mysterious ways!
Later that week I faced another trial when I went to confession. As soon as I entered the confession booth Father Brian pleaded, “Lord have mercy, that must be you Emily. I think you’ve misinterpreted how sacrifices for Lent work. You really need to take a shower.” At first I was startled, but I realized that the Lord must be testing my resolution. Praise Him, for he gives me strength!
So far this Lent, I have been able to refrain from showering. Although it hasn’t been easy, through it all I have developed a stronger relationship with God. I hope that soon those around me will follow suit and we can all give up showers for Lent.
