My Fasting Journal~
11:56 AM
Today is Monday, February 27th, 2023, and I have agreed to fast for the Lord with a few others. My fast will be from 7AM until 7PM, Lord-willing, and I will be doing a liquid fast during that time, focusing on gratitude towards God, and "wherever else He leads me."
So, today I am off of work, except for the morning time, where I teach an aerobics class for one hour. It's actually a zumba dance fitness class, from 8 to 9. So, in order to have energy for the class, and not to exercise on a completely empty stomach, I did opt to eat a small breakfast around 6 in the morning, which consisted of Mexican style rice pudding with cinnamon, commonly referred to as "arroz con leche".
After the zumba class, as I was getting ready, I was thinking about my fast. What was I going "to eat" today, both during and afterwards. I had wanted to do a protein style smoothie after the zumba workout, but the weather here is super cold, so I decided on warm beef broth at home instead. I saved a few dollars by not ordering out the smoothie, also. I was thinking, something along the lines of, "I can't wait to eat after 7PM today". Then, I was prompted to think on how Jesus says, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never be hungry." Or something along those lines (I'll have to look it up). I began thinking about how I am so looking forward to my meal today after 7PM, is how I should be looking forward to my "meal" of Jesus (He's the Bread of life).
In the past when I have fasted (which is not often or regular, I barely started intentionally fasting last year in 2022 I believe), I would feel hunger. And, feeling my hunger during the fasting made me feel so sad. And yet, that sadness was nothing compared to what Jesus Christ suffered when He died on a cross for me, for my redemption!
So, today my mom is cooking enchiladas right now, and the woof or smell is so aromatic! Not to mention that enchiladas are one of my favorite things to eat. So, I might end the fast today with enchiladas, beans and rice, a favorite Mexican meal of mine. And, I also have some grape juice and matza wafers in the house for communion. I think I will also end the fast today with communion.
So, now I will read the fasting article and see what else the Lord has "in store" for me today. Ever since I heard that we were going to be fasting today (which was like maybe 3 or 4 days ago), I've been looking forward to it. All across the globe, we are fasting today as a body, as a unit of believers, together, with one heart, one mind, and one spirit, in Jesus Christ. Thank You dear Lord (Jesus Christ of Nazareth) for this day of remembrance, for this day of fasting, and for this day of gratitude. Hallelujah!
Dear Lord, here are a few things that I am grateful for (today):
- I am grateful for a roof over my head
- I am grateful for a warm bed to sleep on every night
- I am grateful for every meal You have made for me
- I am grateful for Jesus Christ, for His life, death, burial, and resurrection
- I am grateful for the gift of Jesus Christ, who has made a way for me to be reconciled back to the Father
- I am grateful for every life experience I have ever had, for You have used it to mold me and shape me into who I am today, and for Your glory and eternal purposes
- I am grateful for the friends You have ever given me, past or present
- I am grateful You have kept me (from injecting myself with the world's "solution")
- I am grateful for the opportunity to exercise, and to improve myself through the zumba dance fitness
- I am grateful for warm clothes, like a beanie, scarf, mittens and warm jacket for cold rainy days like today!
- I am grateful for my Bible.
- I am grateful for my health.
- I am grateful to be fasting today with others.
