New Year, New Focus
Every year most of us try to make some sort of change. Whether we call it making New Year’s resolutions, making a new goal, or having a new start, it is all the same. In our house, we have begun a fast. We do this every January for 21 days, with the focus being on praying for particular things in our personal lives, our church, our country, and our world.
As far as the fast goes, Dan is doing a juice fast- driking fruit juice, vegetable juice, and water. I am fasting until 3, eating only fruit, vegetables, and lean meats when I eat. I am also not eating after 7, which is a real challenge. The kids are all fasting sweets of any kind, and my 11 year old decided to fast play station.
We told the kids what the purpose of a fast is, and why it is important. We have also asked them what they would like to pray about during the fast.
Now, you might think this is really religious of us….but now read this….
Last night we were playing some games with four of our seven kids, when the topic of conversation turned to food, chicken riggies. My oldest daughter made the comment ” Remember when we used to eat?” And the fun began.
I got out a low fat cheese stick, and my daughter leaned in toward me and said “I feel like a vulture…I can smell everything!”
Katie (the daughter) is also fasting with just juice and water.
We had a grand old time talking about all the food we aren’t eating….
Now, a fast is a serious thing. But there can still be fun in it. Having fun, with a serious thing, can mean that you still take it seriously, while enjoying making fun of your reactions to it, and that’s just what we were doing.
Fasting is great…I am all for it. But in the Bible we are admonished to not fast as the hypocrites do, but to look happy. Matt 6:16.
That’s us…the happy fasters… new year, new focus.
