Day 4: Fasting is Feasting
/I mentioned in Day 1 of these Lenten Shorts that my family wasn’t too strict on the rituals of the season. When I think back to Lent, what I really remember is Fish Fry Friday,. That meant fish sticks for us kids, which was a win in my and my brother’s book! I don’t remember what my parents and grandparents ate. But I got fish sticks, probably some rice or mashed potatoes, and maybe some green beans? Clearly, the fish sticks won the night in my heart and memory.
Day 4 of Pauses for Lent uses Matthew 6:17-18 as the central scripture:
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Fasting. A practice I’ve used sparingly in my life, for various reasons. For one, I have a million significant food restrictions (gluten, most dairy, pineapple, grapes, melon, legumes, peppers, banana). It’s like 75 percent of the regular grocery store. I came to terms with this a long time ago, but one could see why fasting wouldn’t really be my thing. I fast enough by force, doing it by choice usually seems like unnecessary punishment. (When I do fast, though, it is meaningful for me. For example, I fasted on the U.S.’s Election Day in November 2020).
Feasting, on the other hand. Well, that is always my jam. And what Trevor Hudson goes on to talk about is that fasting is feasting. Feasting “on God’s overwhelming goodness and love for us.” Setting one thing aside makes room for something else, right? Fasting anything — food, social media, phone time, computer time, podcasts, music, a habit (good or not) — makes room for something else. I can get behind that all day long.
Here I am, feasting on time and fun with one of my very best friends (who was behind the camera). We had ventured into the woods soon after a southern spring rainstorm. It was pretty muddy so I gave myself an impromptu foot-mud-bath. It was squishy and silly and fabulous. This was pre-summer pandemic; we had made ourselves part of each other’s small circle and we checked our heaviness at the door every Wednesday afternoon and chose fun and delight.
Even though we all wanted out of the COVID depression/isolation that was coloring our lives at the time (and still sometimes does), making ourselves have fun was no easy feat. We chose to step back into the fun, into the feast that is God’s beautiful, natural earth. The feast that is the company of a best friend. The feast that is spending time in the sunshine. The feast that is leaving the texts and notifications behind and being with the people you’re with.
When I fast computer time on the weekends, I live a full experience with my husband, daughter, and dog.
When I fast phone time after 10 p.m., I make space and time for reading a novel.
When I fast baking for an evening, I make time for playing a game or going for a walk with my husband.
When I fast speaking out of turn, I make space for the other person in the relationship to be 100% themselves.
When I fast “extra” directions to my daughter (iykyk), I make space for listening to her sweet, growing little brain.
Fasting is feasting. Feasting on the goodness, the delight, the love, the joy, the fun God has gifted us.
May your experience of fasting open your eyes to a special kind of feast this weekend.
What about you? Email me & tell me what you’re fasting so you can feast on goodness, delight, love, joy & fun today.
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