So, I‘ve been thinking a lot about this post that I read. Making it all about the food and the recipes, instead of about denying your self in order to be closer to your One who mad you. I see the author’s point, but I am so glad my husband also shared this thought with me from his youversion.com reading plan on Friday: Food is a source of comfort for many. Reflect on how much your thoughts have been overtaken with craving certain foods, missing the things you're fasting from, or even how much weight you could lose. Is it often? If it were alcohol or a harmful drug, would you consider yourself addicted if you were this consumed with your desire for them? For many, this fast can begin an awareness of a harmful place food may have in your life. It can reveal an addiction. Pray that the God of compassion and all comfort will become your primary source of comfort. Ask Him to use this experience with suffering to remove anything in your life that has taken the Holy Spirit's place as your Comforter. (From day 12; He is doing the 21 day plan that corresponds with the fast.)
So, I have been praying about my revelations and my thoughts on fasting and food and my body. I still see this fast as a jumping off point for a better life; more discipline, more planning, more being HEALTHY and accountable. I have learned SO MUCH about my own will power and about food. Things I didn’t realize, or just simply ignored. So, I think a fast can do both. It can be a little bit about the food, while still being about growing closer to God. If those are the things God wants to reveal to you during this time of growth, then how can that be wrong?
I guess I am feeling a little convicted about the things from that original post. While I get what the author was saying, I am a “there are 2 sides to every coin” kind of gal, and I can see the other side SO CLEARLY now!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
10 Days to go!
When I started this journey, I thought when I got to this point I would be pining for then end. But I’m not. I just passed the halfway point. This is day 12. Counting today, I have 10 more days of fasting. It almost doesn’t seem like enough!
Let me explain. It’s not about the food. It’s not even really about denying myself. It’s about strength. And self-revelation. And leaning on the Almighty God! Seeing what God wants to show me; hearing what He wants me to hear. I will admit, I am a bit of a control freak. But for several years, one thing has controlled me – and I let it. I said “I can’t” and “It will never work” and “I have 3 kids…” and on and on and on. All excuses. All not the way God wanted me to be living. All weak and foolish. I have learned SO MUCH over the past 2 weeks. I am not weak. God wants me to be strong. God wants to use me, a HEALTHY me. I need to take care of me to be able to take care of the rest of my family and to do His work. I FEEL so much better. Physically, of course, but emotionally and spiritually, too. I feel like I can walk taller and I can find joy in the little things. Things that were starting to get lost.
I love that at 6:00am every morning, 2 computers in this house are tuned to youversion.com and we are starting our day immersed in the Word. I love that we can share what we’ve learned with each other since we are doing different reading plans. I love that we are being creative with dinner since we still have 3 kids to feed! I told the girls last night when they were begging to go out to dinner that they were on a fast, too – from restaurant food! We ate out TOO MUCH. This fast is a jump start to change our lives – I can feel it! Since we’re not constantly trying to scramble for meals, there’s more time to just hang out as a family at home. Play Wii, read books, clean the house, enjoy each other’s company. We’re saving money, too since we’re not eating the quantity of food that we normally do – another great habit being formed.
So, the end seems almost a negative event. I want to keep starting my day in the word, learning more, eating better, saving money, and having more time at home. I feel like the fast is my armor, in a sense. I am in here doing this now, but will it continue when the 21 days is over? That is my prayer for today. That the habits gained and the lessons learned will continue for me and my family. It will continue to be a battle, and there will still be good days and bad ones too, but the experiences gleaned from this season will keep us on track. That, as a family, we will be ALL IN for Christ in 2011!
Let me explain. It’s not about the food. It’s not even really about denying myself. It’s about strength. And self-revelation. And leaning on the Almighty God! Seeing what God wants to show me; hearing what He wants me to hear. I will admit, I am a bit of a control freak. But for several years, one thing has controlled me – and I let it. I said “I can’t” and “It will never work” and “I have 3 kids…” and on and on and on. All excuses. All not the way God wanted me to be living. All weak and foolish. I have learned SO MUCH over the past 2 weeks. I am not weak. God wants me to be strong. God wants to use me, a HEALTHY me. I need to take care of me to be able to take care of the rest of my family and to do His work. I FEEL so much better. Physically, of course, but emotionally and spiritually, too. I feel like I can walk taller and I can find joy in the little things. Things that were starting to get lost.
I love that at 6:00am every morning, 2 computers in this house are tuned to youversion.com and we are starting our day immersed in the Word. I love that we can share what we’ve learned with each other since we are doing different reading plans. I love that we are being creative with dinner since we still have 3 kids to feed! I told the girls last night when they were begging to go out to dinner that they were on a fast, too – from restaurant food! We ate out TOO MUCH. This fast is a jump start to change our lives – I can feel it! Since we’re not constantly trying to scramble for meals, there’s more time to just hang out as a family at home. Play Wii, read books, clean the house, enjoy each other’s company. We’re saving money, too since we’re not eating the quantity of food that we normally do – another great habit being formed.
So, the end seems almost a negative event. I want to keep starting my day in the word, learning more, eating better, saving money, and having more time at home. I feel like the fast is my armor, in a sense. I am in here doing this now, but will it continue when the 21 days is over? That is my prayer for today. That the habits gained and the lessons learned will continue for me and my family. It will continue to be a battle, and there will still be good days and bad ones too, but the experiences gleaned from this season will keep us on track. That, as a family, we will be ALL IN for Christ in 2011!
Monday, January 10, 2011
A Challenging Monday
Today is day 8 of my fast. I just watched history streaming on my PC as the first woman governor of the great state of Oklahoma took her Oath of Office (Congrats, Mary Fallin – our 27th Governor!), and it is snowing at a pretty steady clip here in North Central Oklahoma! My drive to work took 3 times as long as it usually does, and I am hungry. This is the first time I have really felt hungry the whole journey! Last night, I had a headache again, but nothing like earlier in the week... But feeling hunger is a new thing for me in this season.
I knew the snow was coming, so we had tried to be prepared as a family. Got up early to make sure cars were warmed up, ice was scraped of windshields, kids had cold weather gear, etc. Although the drive was long and tedious, it was GREAT to hear my 3 year old son chatter in AWE of all the white we saw on the way to day care this morning. He says the funniest things! He asked, “"Mom, how do all those cars get the snow off their screens? With their wipers?" I assume he meant windshields... (He says some funny stuff! Follow him on Twitter @JakeWeaverSays) As is my usual, I drank my Shakeology on the way to work, and for some reason, it just didn’t last. Due to all the other distractions this morning, I neglected to grab my usual fresh fruit snack or some nuts! DARN! But, I am praying for strength! I know I will go home for lunch soon, and there is no way I am throwing in the towel at this point!
Since one of the areas of my life I am trying to improve on and hand over to God is my health and weight, I am using this fast not only as a time for spiritual growth and enlightenment, but also as a jump-off point for a lifestyle change in my eating and fitness. That's why I became a Beachbody coach a few weeks back as well. So, this morning, I weighed. The last time I was on a scale was on December 8, a month ago. Since that time, I have lost 11 pounds. It's a great start, but I have a long way to go...
I saw some great Daniel fast recipes on the LifeChurch.tv OKC Campus Facebook page, and I loved a ReTweet I saw from our senior pastor, Craig Groeschel this morning: “A diet changes the way you look. A fast changes the way you see!” So true! And I want to SEE more! Time to dig deeper, go further, last longer!
I knew the snow was coming, so we had tried to be prepared as a family. Got up early to make sure cars were warmed up, ice was scraped of windshields, kids had cold weather gear, etc. Although the drive was long and tedious, it was GREAT to hear my 3 year old son chatter in AWE of all the white we saw on the way to day care this morning. He says the funniest things! He asked, “"Mom, how do all those cars get the snow off their screens? With their wipers?" I assume he meant windshields... (He says some funny stuff! Follow him on Twitter @JakeWeaverSays) As is my usual, I drank my Shakeology on the way to work, and for some reason, it just didn’t last. Due to all the other distractions this morning, I neglected to grab my usual fresh fruit snack or some nuts! DARN! But, I am praying for strength! I know I will go home for lunch soon, and there is no way I am throwing in the towel at this point!
Since one of the areas of my life I am trying to improve on and hand over to God is my health and weight, I am using this fast not only as a time for spiritual growth and enlightenment, but also as a jump-off point for a lifestyle change in my eating and fitness. That's why I became a Beachbody coach a few weeks back as well. So, this morning, I weighed. The last time I was on a scale was on December 8, a month ago. Since that time, I have lost 11 pounds. It's a great start, but I have a long way to go...
I saw some great Daniel fast recipes on the LifeChurch.tv OKC Campus Facebook page, and I loved a ReTweet I saw from our senior pastor, Craig Groeschel this morning: “A diet changes the way you look. A fast changes the way you see!” So true! And I want to SEE more! Time to dig deeper, go further, last longer!
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