Sunday, December 6, 2009
Fasting
Last fast sunday I realized something I thought was interesting....I haven't fasted in about 4 years. I haven't fasted because I've either been pregnant or nursing. Boy, that is crazy. So anyway, since I stopped nursing Cole in October I've been able to fast November and December, and boy...it's hard. Especially when I'm just not used to it. I've noticed that it's just really easy to forget and lick my fingers when I'm making my kids something to eat, or really, just to forget that I'm supposed to be fasting. I do pretty well until after church and then while making the meal I just forget. Oops. This tells me two things. One-fasting is work. It takes effort and time. Two- I need to work on it. I believe fasting is a powerful tool given to us by Heavenly Father to get closer to Him. However, I'm not using this tool very well, and I really need to get on the ball. It's no fun starving all day, and I'm hoping that when I start fasting like we are supposed to (with a purpose, with faith and prayer, etc.) then the "starving" will get better. Granted, I'll still be hungry, but I think I remember a difference when I used to fast all those years ago. So, chalk another one up to the goal board. Fasting with a prayer and with purpose. Let's see how this goes.
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6 comments:
Wait till your kids get older and they give you the guilt trip that they are fasting and you are not because you are pregnant or nursing again:)
I remembered it was fast Sunday yesterday, but awhile after I brushed my teeth I wondered if I drank water (because I always drink after I brush my teeth). Pretty sure I did. Habit you know. Good post.
You are correct about fasting being difficult. This Sunday it happened to go easier for me, probably because our meeting started earlier than it has all year and because I was involved getting addresses for Christmas cards. I totally forgot about eating. Unfortunately I also forgot to fast with purpose. Sigh!
You just reminded me of something I heard or learned once somewhere. Fasting is only a symbol or sacrifice of the physical in order to strengthen our spirits. If we can't fast then we should sacrifice in some other way. I guess there are many people that can't or shouldn't fast and so they can just go without something else to show their sacrifice. I don't know if that makes sense...but, it gave me solace in the days when I couldn't fast. Your blog was very inspiring.
Thanks for the warning:)! I'm going to start next month and it's been about that long for me! It'll be good for me:)
I can now say with absolute truth that if you are truly fasting for a purpose, it is much easier than the typical wake-up-and-realize-it's-fast-Sunday kind of fast. (OK, typical for me. I tend to forget.)
Last Sunday we had some particular reasons to fast, and it did make it go by quite a bit easier. Although the hardest part was right after church while making lunch for the kids and realizing I still couldn't eat yet.
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