I was not ready to end my 30 Day Daniel Fast on Sunday when the church-wide fast was due to end. It wasn't because I didn't want to eat something other than salad and green smoothies before 3:00; it wasn't because my clothes were looser and my skin clearer. Nor was it because I had discovered that a simpler menu meant simpler shopping, simpler clean-up, and more time outside of the kitchen.
I was not ready to end the Daniel Fast because I liked having the entire act of feeding myself dedicated to a Godly purpose. Hunger served as a reminder to pray. The desire to spontaneously eat something, even when I wasn't hungry, reminded me of how to discipline my wants and desires. The act of cutting up kale and washing carrots became a soothing ritual. I felt like I was on on a spiritual retreat.
The constant barrage of food ads, fast food signs and food commercials helped me to see just how hard it is for a person to be of a healthy weight in our culture. I have much admiration for the likes of Jennifer Hudson (and my cousin Audrey), but after my Weight Watcher's meeting, I realized that although Jennifer is thinking about food in a different way, she still has to think about food (and points) all of the time.
I was glad to have been on my Daniel Fast while in Houston with my brother. I think that it helped me to stay focused on him and his care. But once I returned to my normal life, I felt the tug to return to my break-neck, hectic, crazy busy existence. Then I came across this quote in a book, the phrase "Festina Lente." It is Latin for "Make haste, slowly."
That is what I wanted from the fasting experience- how to live better in my normal life. To me, a Godly life is a calmer, richer life; where I don't need food to calm me down, or distract me from lonliness or boredom. Nor am I naval gazing all day. When my mind is God-focused I am calmer and my mind is clearer. With a clearer mind, I am more creative. When more creative, I can solve problems and see solutions that I normally wouldn't see. It's not so much about the fasting or the food. It's about the focus.
The food that I eat makes a difference in my ability to focus. Foods that make you jittery or sluggish don't help you stay focused. Food, therefore, plays a role in how easy or difficult it is for me to have a calm, clear and creative mind. So, I've decided to continue with my Green till Three, a little while longer. I've added soup to my menu of smoothies and salads and have committed to not eat anything after 8:00 p.m. I am motivated because I have a problem that needs solving. It is a big problem that has to do with my job.
Last semester, I had several students who were expecting to graduate once they completed the semester. In order to do that they had to obtain a "C" in my course. Unfortunately, for some, that didn't happen. Furthermore, I serve as a faculty adviser. I advise students on what courses to take. A few of them have lower than a C average. When the student's grades drop below a C average, then they are placed on probation. Federal financial aid only allows one semester grace period. If students drop out they could end up with thousands of dollars worth of school debt and no degree. If this happens on a mass scale, then the University undergoes a budget crisis. How can I help these students? This problem was also a focus of my prayer and fasting and I did receive an answer.
I have to start a revolution!
More about that next time.
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