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Some of us can relate to a couple visiting an Episcopal Church for the first time. Arriving late, they came in as the congregation was praying the General Confession. They entered as the minister and the congregation were praying aloud: "We have left undone those things we ought to have done, and we have done those things we ought not to have done."

As they knelt, the man enthusiastically nudged his wife and whispered, "Hey, that’s us! I think we’ve finally found the right church!"

Episcopalians admit weekly, if sometimes weakly, in our common prayer that we are human beings who sometimes (often?) do things we should not and are just as prone not do things that we should do! We sin. We confess and God forgives us! What a relief!

Nevertheless, even our church teaches us that sin damages our relationship with God and others and is something we should avoid. Sin may be something we admit we are familiar with but it is not good for us!

Facing up to the serious nature of sin and the damage it does to us is at the heart of the season we call Lent!

Yes, we have arrived at that period in the church year in which the world and some Christians figure we are supposed to feel like miserable sinners! After all, we go all out with our celebration of Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras. We throw a big party!

Then the next day we smear our faces with ashes and the fun stops! At least that is the popular understanding! (Strangely, the word Lent does not mean misery but rather "Springtime"!) Yet Lent does ask us to get serious about sin, To take it seriously and to do something—or more precisely, to do some things about it!

How are we to do this? By self-examination and repentance, by naming and facing and admitting to our sins and seeking God’s promised forgiveness to all who repent and return to Him. As The Book of Common Prayer says, "By prayer, fasting and self-denial, and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word."

Somehow, many Christians have confused Lent with fasting. How often do we hear someone brag about giving up chocolates, sweets, etc.? Fasting does benefit many and if it is helpful to you, please by all means, practice it, but beware of priding yourself on it and making a show with it! Do it without complaining or don’t do it at all!

Remember that Lent is about much more than missing a few meals! God is more concerned with what springs forth from our mouths and hearts than what goes into our bellies!

Lent is about giving up things that come between us and God—and making a place in our lives for those practices that bring us closer to Him!

I often think of it as spiritual housecleaning! It is a time for dusting off our souls and our Bibles and our Prayer Books.

Here are a few things we might want to give up this Lent to make the church and the world better.

Give up grumbling. Instead, give thanks. Moaning, groaning and complaining have never been considered Christian virtues.

Give up a few minutes in bed! Use that time in prayer or Bible study! If you do not currently engage in personal devotional time, try it!

Give up looking at other people’s worst points. Try to find something good in those you have to live with!

Give up speaking unkindly! We could put our sharp tongues away for a few weeks.

Give up your worries and anxieties. Instead, trust God.

Give up an hour or more of television and give that time to another human being who needs you!

Give up a few material luxuries and give the money saved to a charity that helps people who have real basic needs.

You may add to this list, as you like. I hope you will add the following:

Come to church each Sunday in Lent and feed your spirit! Come to our Lenten Wednesday programs beginning at 6:30 each Wednesday in Lent. (Try to get to know at least one person whom you know now only by sight or name!) Take advantage of the many meaningful worship services and opportunities to gather as members of this congregation.

Pray each day for those on our prayer list, for this church, and especially pray for your staff, clergy and leaders! Pray for one another.

Lent is about taking time to focus on doing those things we should do and not doing the things we shouldn’t. Lent is about renewing our relationship with God and one another, as we get ready to celebrate the sheer joy of Easter morning!