Last December in New Bedford, Massachusetts, a book was returned to the local library. It was overdue. I am sure that this situation is not unusual to most people. I have had times when I had overdue books from the Arthur Public Library. Normally, the borrower just pays a fine that might vary from a few cents to a few dollars, depending on the length of time of our forgetfulness. However, the book from the New Bedford Library was a bit unusual. The title of the missing book was, “Facts I Ought to Know about the Government of My Country” and it was due to be returned by May 10, 1910! The fine schedule of that year was a penny a day, so you can appreciate that the overdue fine was going to be quite substantial.  Indeed, it would amount to over $361.65.
Well, what took so long for the book to be returned? It would appear that a local man was going through the possessions of his mother, who had passed away ten years ago. When he came across the book, he decided that the proper thing to do was to return it to the library. The good news is that the local library did not ask him to pay the accumulated fine. Yes, all was forgiven. Moreover, the book is now in a special display collection.
Now, I want you to understand that I am not advocating that people ought to keep library books after the due date. Worse yet, don’t hold on to them for almost one hundred years! Still, I do wish to point out that, like that local library, God will forgive you even if your attendance at church or at personal prayer is long overdue.  That’s good news too.    
As we approach the season of Lent in the Christian year, it is a good time for us to take stock of our lives. Perhaps, we have been keeping a lot of bad habits for a long time, and it would be nice to get rid of them. God will forgive and assist you. Likewise, there might be a particular mission that you might wish to start. God will enjoy working with you on that project too. Lent need not be just a time of “giving things up”. It can be a time of “taking things on”.
As usual, I will be giving up my beloved coffee for the duration of Lent this year. It will be doubly difficult this year, as the local “Tim Horton’s” has been recently renovated. Still, I have already prepared myself through prayer and the purchase of a few Tylenol in preparation for the resulting headache. In the end, Lent can be what you wish to make of it. Regardless of your direction, it is a time when God will work with you and through you. The result will be a blessing of grace through self-discipline and God’s mercy. Perhaps, you mistakenly thought that gifts only occurred at Christmastime?