The last few mornings or so have been foggy. Sometimes it clears off to reveal a beautiful sunny day, and at other times, it remains as-is. I don’t mind, especially since that means the temperature is rising!

We had a two-hour late start on Monday since our school district includes many rural families. We enjoyed a little more time together, unexpectedly! I even had time to bake some delicious sweet potatoes, which made me revamp my lunch that day. 🙂

After work yesterday, I could barely see a giant airplane flying in through the clouds. It looked like it came out of nowhere! When I finally saw it, it was about fifty feet in the air, preparing to land. Surreal!

In other news, many of the people at our church are doing a new year’s fast. I decided to join everyone, though I am unsure what kind everyone else is doing. I am doing a twenty-one-day Daniel Fast, which is a partial fast. Think vegan combined with a few more restrictions, such as no sugar and caffeine. (Daniel 10 and Daniel 21)

I have followed the Daniel Fast various times over the years. When Dave was sick, I would fast during his chemo treatments (three days). It worked well to calm my nerves and coincided when he wasn’t eating much. My hunger reminded me to run to Jesus and invite him into our chaos. It was a great help back then when I was running in so many directions, but I didn’t have the bandwidth to do much else.

Over the last couple of years, I held off from fasts because I didn’t feel ready to put in the effort. Not that I discount the importance, my heart just wasn’t where it needed to be. 

This time, the Daniel Fast feels different, joyful even. Perhaps that’s because I signed up for daily encouragement from Susan Gregory, who has authored several books on the subject. I appreciate her level of detail and the way she honors God. It also helps to know other people are fasting with me!

Here are a few key points: First, Jesus talked about fasting as a normal part of a godly life. He did not say “if” but “when you fast.” (If you read the verse, know I am sharing this as an exhortation, not to get attention!) Second, fasting is not to gain God’s approval. He already loves you and wants what’s best for you! Sometimes, though, we get in our own way.

Third, fasting is not about the body or our food… what you eat or don’t eat, or how you look. We already pay enough attention to that! As Lisa Bevere says, “A diet changes the way you look. A fast changes the way you see.” You temporarily lay aside your desires and routine for a higher purpose. Thus, fasting is about saying ‘no’ to the ‘flesh’ and saying ‘yes’ to God. That looks different for each of us, of course. For me, it’s about tuning my spiritual ears to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

As Lydia grows, I want to make sure I am raising her how God wants. If I need to change something, I want to hear and follow through! I don’t want to drag my feet or miss something altogether. That’s just one example, but I am praying about God’s wisdom in several areas. I am excited to see what He does!

It’s ironic that our foggy weather coincides with our church’s fasting period. Fog is difficult to see through, but fasting opens our spiritual eyes. In both cases, we must slow down, pay attention, and rely on God to guide us. Thank You, Lord, for being our Light!

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God, thanks for the opportunity to draw near to You. Open my eyes and ears; help me perceive what You are doing and join you there. Bless me, in Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Have you ever done a fast? (Again, this differs from fasting or dieting for weight loss or making yourself look or feel better.) What did you learn about God and yourself?

Task: If you are in need of answers or a breakthrough, consider a spiritual fast. There are many types. Remember, God doesn’t require perfection. He offers us His abundant grace!