To Add or Take Away, That Is the Question

A few years ago, I saw someone’s social media post about how they’d been to the bakery to get their paczki for Fat Tuesday. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, you’re not alone. I, too, had no clue what a paczki was. I commented on the post, asking for clarification, and (in a playful way) I was shamed for never having had one.

Here in Metro Detroit, Paczki Day is a big deal. It’s celebrated on Fat Tuesday and originated in Poland. The best way I can describe a paczki is that it’s a deep fried, glorified, deliciously over-stuffed donut. Paczki Day is like Pancake Day in Ireland—originally, paczkis were made to use up all the lard, sugar, and eggs in the house before Lent began.

When I finally understood what a paczki was, I decided it was time to have my first. I bundled up my kids and drove to a bakery where the owners were Polish and known for the best paczkis in town. When I pulled up to the bakery, I was in disbelief. A line out the door wrapped around the side of the building. The kids thought I was crazy for being willing to wait in this line, but they still didn’t realize what we’d be getting.

The line moved quickly, as apparently this was not the bakery’s first paczki rodeo. When we made it inside, we received a piece of paper to check off what we wanted to order. I listed all the flavors to my kids and let them choose from strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, chocolate, custard, lemon, and many more. We made our selections, and soon we received our box of paczkis and went on our way.

At home, the kids were excited to open the box and taste their long-awaited treats. Going to the bakery and waiting in line for paczkis is now a Fat Tuesday tradition in our family.

Many Christians celebrate Fat Tuesday as a last hurrah before they give up something for Lent. While I attended church regularly as a child, the first time I heard of someone giving something up for Lent was in high school. A friend who was Catholic mentioned she was giving up soda for Lent. I was intrigued by the idea, but I still didn’t know much about the concept behind it.

As I got older and my understanding of the Christian faith broadened, I learned more about the meaning behind giving something up for Lent. The idea of fasting from something and using that time to deepen my relationship with God was interesting, and then a few years ago, I decided to fast from social media during Lent. While the time away from social media was undoubtedly good for me, I didn’t use my time wisely. I didn’t seek to deepen my relationship with God during my “extra” time. By the time Easter rolled around, regretfully, I was no closer to Jesus.

Last year, however, I took a different approach. Instead of giving something up, I took something on. I wanted to grow in my prayer life, so for the forty days of Lent, I read through three prayer books and prayed daily and specifically for my husband, for my children, and for myself. Adding prayer time to my day was a greater sacrifice than taking something away, and I grew closer to Jesus as I spent more devoted time in prayer.

As the Lenten season approaches, consider what you can do for forty days that will bring you closer to Jesus. Perhaps for you, giving something up is right. I have a dear friend who gives up sweets every year. This is a daily sacrifice for her, and it does help her crave more Jesus as she abstains from her daily sugar fix. Or perhaps you can add something to your life (Scripture reading, prayer, acts of love) that will deepen your faith and cultivate a deeper walk with the Lord.

God loves you, and he wants to spend time with you. He’s not judging you by what you give up or add to your life. Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins. Our salvation in him is secure. We can’t add or take away from that. But why not let this Lenten season be significant in your walk with him? Choose what you will add or take away for forty days to grow closer to Jesus—and don’t forget to get your paczki on Fat Tuesday.

Heather Gerwing is a homeschooling mom of four. She is a Jersey girl at heart but now lives in Michigan with her husband Jeff and their kids. Heather enjoys reading, coffee-ing, worshipping and writing. She is passionate about her family and living the full life. You can find her at heathergerwing.com.

Photograph © Linda Sondergaard, used with permission