That's not exactly the title you'd find at your nearest Christian book store. Let me explain....
....our church is promoting total (meaning water only until the 5th day) fasting between the days of 1/6 and 1/26. Our Pastor urged us to seek God as to what our participation should be. I felt like God wanted me to fast from Monday to Friday, breaking the fast with breakfast on Saturday.
Monday sucked. Totally. I was craving food so bad yet I wasn't really even hungry until dinner time. I was going to quit, but instead I drank a v-8 as a compromise. Oh, yeah, and I would snap at the kids....ugggg.
Tuesday there weren't as many cravings, but my stomach was grumbling all day long. I drank two v-8's. I was more patient and peaceful, yet would all-the-sudden snap and get mean.
Wednesday was the breaker. Ben was asking my input about some decisions (sweet of him) that needed to be made and I was so brisk to him even I couldn't believe it.
*side note* It's SUPER hard to be in the kitchen and touch food for almost 2 hours total every day and fast. If you have small children I'd recommend fasting from tv or something :)
I prayed for a while. I knew my attitudes and actions were not at all godly, yet I didn't want to quit just because it was hard. I felt the voice of God whisper to my heart....."Is this what it's all about? This is not My plan for your fasting."
So, yesterday, at 2pm, I broke my fast with a piece of pizza. It was glorious! The Mother was no longer grouchy.
I have, as yet, to find a way to 'comfortably' fast. I'm not apposed to discomfort, but crossing the line to harmful is not good and defeats the purpose. I'd hate for my kids to remember these last few days and hope they never fast. Oy! I'm praying that it wasn't too traumatic on them.
I did get something good out of all this. In the past I'd get busy doing my Mom things. If a kid had a question I wouldn't even look at them in their face as I listened and answered. I was just too busy for eye contact, I reasoned. Now, I guess I've just slowed down. I play more with the kids and realise somethings just won't get done today. I'd rather be kind and polite than check another item off my long list.
Anyway, this is how not to fast!
6 comments:
I could not imagine...I get SO grumpy when I miss a meal or two in a day.
I love what you said about slowing down. Something I need to remember more often.
I am so proud of you Katy :) Love you...resh.
I applaud your efforts!!! Self-denial is so hard. I think it's a major theme of motherhood. Being a mommy is a daily practice in dying to self and giving to others, sometimes sacrificially. When it comes to words that start with 'self' (discipline, control, denial) I struggle big time. It's a good reminder for me after I biff it for the hundredth time, that I can't do it on my own and I need HIS help, guidance and strength. Isaiah 58... Is this not the kind of fast I have chosen? I pray you will be verse 11 for your family.
What awesome lessons to learn. And I too love V8. Good job!
I did read Is. 58. God is so good. Thanks fo all the encouragment girls!
I can't imagine fasting from food. I can tell you that serious ungodly behavior would come from me because of it!
During Lent the past few years I have fasted from chocolate (because I tend to eat some every day!), and it was a good reminder to me every time I thought of chocolate to turn my thoughts to God. Good thing I think of chocolate often!
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