On Tuesday, March 8, more than 750 people wanted to find out what to give up for Lent and so went to their computer and typed “what to give up for Lent” or some variation of that phrase.  On Wednesday, March 9, another 2500 or so asked. I know this because those people found their way to this post: 33 things to give up for Lent.

I didn’t set out to write a title that would get more views; I wrote in my usual haphazard way. But that’s way more people than usually find their way to this blog. A great day in readership is … not measured by the numbers but by whether I say anything that helps you and is accurate before God.

But the brief spike in readers intrigues me. People turn to search engines when they want practical spiritual advice. And why not? There is a ton out here. For example, Paul and Rich and I have published 180,000 words of it right here in the past couple years, 300 words a day.

But the challenge of living lent, if that’s one of your spiritual goals, isn’t in finding what to give up. It’s the challenge of getting up every day and giving up. And that happens best in relationship not search.

Search says, “What are all the options?” Relationship says, “how can I live the option I’ve chosen?” Search takes seconds. Relationship takes lifetimes.  Search is the first step. Relationship is the journey.

The other night a friend who read the list said, “So I can’t be last in line anymore?” We laughed and I explained a challenge with pride I have. That’s relationship.

I’m grateful for the eyes that have visited here this week. But I’m humbled by you, you who show up daily, who challenge me to live, not just search.

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As a practical part of relationship, I am grateful and humbled by Nancy. On March 12, 1983, we quit searching, and we promised each other we were completely committed to God and to each other. Twenty-eight years later, we’re still exploring what that means. Search takes seconds. Relationship takes lifetimes.

Thank you, Nancy.