Lent Day 31, Friday, March 20, 2026

“Fruits or Vegetables with Each Snack and Meal”

What’s for dinner tonight? We can wait on that for a few minutes. What about breakfast, lunch, or brunch?

It is a little frustrating how often I ask myself those questions throughout the day. I think about food so much that you might assume I am undernourished or worried about my next meal. The truth is, I have plenty to eat and drink. Many people do not, which makes me pause and reflect on how easily I take that for granted.

During Lent, Fridays are often devoted to giving something up as a way to honor God. Today, however, is a little different. Instead of withholding something, we are challenged to add something healthy to everything we eat.

Want a burger and fries for lunch? That is fine. Just add a serving of fruit or a healthy vegetable to your plate. Craving your favorite pasta dish for dinner? Go ahead, but include a salad.  In dire need of a snack?  Have a carrot stick or a banana.

Today’s challenge is to eat a fruit or vegetable with everything we consume. The goal is to care for our bodies by paying attention to what we are consuming. Most of us have enough food. The question is whether we are nourishing our bodies well.

For the next 24 hours, add something healthy to everything you eat. It sounds simple, but it may not be as easy as it seems. If you reach for a quick snack, pair it with something nutritious.  Or, if your physician would frown on your participation in today’s challenge, pray for 15 minutes and call it good.

This is not just about food. It is about awareness, gratitude, and caring for what God has given us.

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”  (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NLT)