Daniel Fast - Day 1

Life Community, the church we attend, does a 21 day fast that comes from the book of Daniel. It is called the Daniel Fast and in some ways, just the title can create some anxiety in people. Myself included. The Daniel Fast is a very strict food diet that basically follows a vegan diet. 

No meat, no dairy, no sugars, no processed foods.

Veggies, fruits, nuts, whole grains are the menu.

Now, just looking at this diet doesn't make me too excited. I immediately think, "Great!! My church wants us to starve!!" 

Not exactly. 

Fasting is not about sitting around starving and being hungry all the time. And it shouldn't be I think. Fasting is about abstaining from food and other things that keep you from pressing into the presence of God. Not by any means is cutting out things in your daily routine or diet easy. But that's when we learn to lean on the Lord more and more over the 21 days. Fasting is not all about the food also. Like I said, fasting is ANYTHING that keeps you from pressing into the presence of God. That can include but certainly is not limited to TV, Internet, movies, apps on your phone, etc. Anything that takes your time away from the Lord. 

In preparing for this fast, Matthew and I talked about what we wanted to do. Of course, you are free to change the fast to your particular needs. Each person is different and have different distractions in their lives. For us, the non-food related distractions are TV, Facebook, and Craigslist. Therefore, I have chosen to give up Facebook and watching TV for the 21 days. Matt is an avid Craigslist-er so he decided on not getting on there for the next 21 days. I wanted to hold on to my blog so I could post about our accomplishments, struggles, and even some great dishes throughout this fast. I will not be posting them to Facebook so if there are only 3 people that read this, OK!! :) I really just want to keep this blog for myself so I can look back and see what the Lord has done and is continuing to do in my life and in our marriage. I guess you could say an online journal.

SO!!

In beginning this time of fasting, I really wanted to dive deep and try to do it whole heartily. The past two years that I have been a part of this renewing time, I haven't put a great deal of effort into it. The first year, I just fasted from meat and didn't spend more time in the word or making time to meet with God. Last year, I just fasted lunch and felt like there was A LOT of issues that were uprooted in me. In preparing for this year, I knew I wanted to do the full blown vegan diet. I had gone to Barnes & Noble several months back and ran across a book called "The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast" by Kristen Feola.


Let me just say, I have only made one dinner meal but boy but was it good!!! I meant to take a picture of it but totally forgot. Little upset about that but oh well. I made bell peppers stuffed with a sauce made from tomato sauce, couscous, onions, black olives, squash, and some seasonings. Oh man!!! Matt devoured it. They were really good and I was very happy with the finished product. :)

*These are not my peppers but very similar to what I made*

Anyways, I got the book because I didn't want to have to worry about the food aspect of this fast and really wanted to focus on what the fast was really about. I am definitely going to enjoy learning some new recipes!!  This has only been the first day but I'm excited to see what's to come over the next few weeks.

What has happened today you ask?? Well, I decided last night that I was going to do a liquid fast all day today. I didn't know how hard that was going to be until it hit me around 1:30 this afternoon. This of course is not recommended for the entire 21 days and is done for the first 1-3 days of the fast. I chose to do it just for today. I really was doing good like I said. Ya see, I knew the hardest part of this fast was going to be still working at my job. I work at a restaurant and food is very easily accessed there obviously. Our managers constantly give us stuff to try which are so good!! There I was, drinking my water with lemon and praying....praying.....PRAYING for strength to get through the day. It certainly didn't help that it was EXTREMELY slow today so I was doing my best to stay busy or stay out of the kitchen. I prayed a lot today for the next few weeks, for Matt, for those in my small group, for things coming up. I did find that not focusing on the hunger and food aspect and instead turning my attention to the Lord really did change my mindset. It was not easy by any means but knowing that I was focusing on the Lord even in this momentary uncomfortable place truly encouraged. It encouraged me to just talk to God. It reminded me that yes I am fasting but that doesn't mean I have to walk around down and in a bad mood. I tried to keep a very positive outlook on everything that happened at work. I asked for blessings over each person I waited on, even the super-duper annoying customers!! That, let me tell you, was tough. Customers that act like the world revolves around them or treats me like I am so low below them do not make me want to be happy while I'm waiting on them. I was reminded each time before I greeted a table to pray over those people. I think the biggest thing I received today was a reminder that Jesus had a servant heart towards others and he wants us to have the same. I want to be a blessing to those people even if I only get to see them for a few moments of their busy day. God blesses me so why shouldn't I share that blessing with others??

How can you serve someone today?? Perhaps through that serving attitude, you will bless someone that needed it.


A hui kaua...