Some years for Lent I try to give up two things — one to benefit my physical health and one to benefit my spiritual health (refer to my post from 3/3/06, Giving Stuff Up, if you missed it). This year I’ve decided to give up junky snacks and complaining. So far I haven’t done a great job remembering that I’ve given up complaining (a little too “conveniently” I’m afraid), but I’m working on it. But it does bring to mind the last time I gave up complaining for Lent in 1999 (so hard to believe that was 7 years ago!).
I was a wide-eyed freshman at UT, fairly involved at the Catholic Center there. My friend Becky told me her friend Jason thought I was cute, and promised that he would be perfect for me. He called me on Mardi Gras Tuesday and asked me out for that Friday. I thought he was cute too, so I accepted.
Being two Catholics going out on Friday in Lent, we went to Joe’s Crab Shack (where else?). We had a great time talking and getting to know each other as we sat out on the front steps for an hour or so (because all the other Catholic couples were there too). Eventually we were seated, and our conversation drifted to Lent, and of course what we gave up. Well it wasn’t a secret, so I told him what I had decided to give up — french fries and complaining. (I hope you’re not wondering what he gave up because unfortunately I don’t remember. But don’t worry, it doesn’t affect the story at all.)
A little more time passed, we ordered, and eventually our food arrived. And in that moment my heart sank. What I had neglected to pay attention to when ordering was the fact that my popcorn shrimp platter came with a side of hot, crispy french fries. Talk about temptation staring me in the face. So I took a deep breath, smiled at my plate of french fries (which I swear were calling out to me in loud, seasoned voices) and said, “What a lovely plate of french fries.” Instead of: “Geez, I can’t believe I forgot to substitute the french fries! I’m such an idiot! Man these fries look so good. Why did I have to give up fries anyway?” which is of course, what I was thinking. But unfortunately, I had just told this guy I gave up fries for Lent, and what was worse — I couldn’t complain about it! It was a first date afterall, and I was trying to impress this guy… so neither french fry nor word of complaint crossed my lips.
And it was the best plate of french fries I’ve never had.
(Obvious update — turns out Jason was not perfect for me, I realized a few months later. Then about a year and a half later I found the guy who is. 🙂