why do that?

Did you ever wonder why we do the things we habitually do? Like putting the milk in before the hot water? Or not eating meat on Good Friday? Or using worms for bait? I guess some of the answers are fairly practical. Because otherwise the coffee tastes burnt. Because that's the way my grandpa fished. 


So what about tradition? I guess some traditions are great. Meeting with the family at birthdays and Christmas. Kissing your kids goodbye when you leave them at school (if that even qualifies as a tradition), pancakes on a Saturday night. But I have often wondered if ALL tradition is good. 


My daughter (now 8) used to attend a Lutheran school. They observe this odd tradition called Lent. They withhold foods or delicacies or temptations for 40days leading up to Easter. I know, like I said odd. Or so I thought. My husband and I do not agree with the necessity of following such traditions and disagree with a fair bit of the Lutheran church's doctrinal teaching, however, last year my daughter comes home and says she has committed to having NO chocolate for Lent. I thought she was bonkers. Who in their right mind would go without chocolate for 40 days voluntarily? And without even knowing what for?


 I asked her why Lent happens and what was it for? Surprisingly, she astounded me with a simple pearl of wisdom: 'to help you concentrate on God and not the chocolate'. Wow. So I, without thinking clearly, blurted out of mouth that I would join her in this quest and go without chocolate also for 40 days. Bonkers. I tried to reel the words back in but they were gone. Into the land of Mad Commitment. Oh well, I thought, if she can do this so can I. So off I went to bed, happy about the decision I'd made.


And the next day I ate a Snickers bar.


I FORGOT!!! Clearly it was not a heartfelt decision. So I apologized to my daughter and repented to God and really delved into why I even wanted to do this no chocolate thing. (and I use the word 'want' very loosely). I really did want to concentrate more on God and have a better relationship with Him. I wanted to support my daughter in her decision to do this because I loved hearing her say why she wanted to. I did (do) admittedly allow chocolate into my life a little too often (OK a lot). Fasting seems to work really well for me to push into the Word more, so maybe withholding my decadent delight for awhile might actually do me some good- spiritually and physically.   


So began my 40 day journey. And it was great. It really did help me. Once I committed to God  and believed it in my heart that I wanted to do it and for the right reasons, I found this odd tradition... not odd. I loved that I thought more about God whenever I wanted chocolate, but I didn't find it hard to say no to either. 


I think if the tradition takes over and turns into a rule that eliminates Godly heartfelt reason, I am keen to not follow it. But if the tradition, whatever it may be, causes you to be or do good... can it be bad?