I want to share an email that I received a year ago, which has inspired me to reflect more closely on my Lenten journey this year:
A Different Approach to Fasting
Fasts have a tendency to be oriented toward things like giving up food or television. But there are many other creative ways we can welcome Jesus’ healing touch.
Here are suggestions you may want to consider:
1. Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family an extra dose of love each day.
2. Fast from judging others. Before making any judgments, recall how Jesus overlooks our faults.
3. Fast from discouragement. Hold on to Jesus’ promise that He has a perfect plan for your life.
4. Fast from complaining. When you find yourself about to complain, close your eyes and recall some of the little moments of joy Jesus has given you.
5. Fast from resentment or bitterness. Work on forgiving those who may have hurt you.
6. Fast from spending too much money. Reduce your spending by ten percent and give those savings to the poor.
What are you giving up for Lent?
With the current economic condition, I think it is safe to say that everyone has been fasting from spending too much money. So I had to pick something else that will push me to my limits: to fast from complaining.
In my November 2007 blog, I wrote: "Oprah Winfrey, who has been keeping a gratitude journal for several years now once said, 'It is not easy to be grateful all the time. But it’s when you feel least thankful that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you.'”
Now more than ever, I need to refrain from complaining and thank the Lord even more than usual. I have to "recall the little moments of joy" from Jesus.
When I get stressed from work and it seems like my projects never end - Thank You, Lord, that I even still have a job in a time like this! I will recall that moment of joy when I was told that my temporary part-time job had turned into a permanent full-time position... how thankful I was then that my prayer was answered!
When money is tight and it feels like I can't give more to my children - Thank You, Lord, that I even have money at all to cover our basic needs! I will recall moments of joy from my childhood when my family certainly didn't have money for any luxury, but I learned the art of finding beauty in the simplest things in life, like laughing at my dad's silly jokes, or singing and dancing with my mom, or climbing trees and catching butterflies with my brother and sister... how those moments shaped my character... how I now need to think of more ways to bring such simple joys in Edward and Alison's life, instead of feeling gulity that I can't enroll them in this class, or send them to that camp.
During these cold winter months and the rain seems too gloomy - Thank You, Lord, that we have a home to protect us from the harsh cold season! I will recall - and do more of these - moments of joy, snuggling with my husband and kids - a warm blanket and deep love enveloping us all...
During times when Edison and I have our spats - Thank You, Lord, that my husband is safe with me and my children! My heart and prayers go out to the spouses and families of our military men and women... families who bravely face each day, as their loved ones bravely defend our country in a foreign land.
During times when my kids are running all around the house and my patience is being tested - Thank You, Lord, that they are happy and healthy children! No, not every moment with them is joyful or peaceful, but every moment is an honor nonetheless. Precious moments definitely outweigh the heartaches.
As I reflect now at the beginning of Lent, I am amazed once again, to realize what the most beautiful part of parenthood is: that I get to have a glimpse of how much God truly loves us, His children.
No, we are not always obedient to our Father. No, we do not always make Him proud by our actions.
But He loves us anyway.
In fact, He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to us. Sin and all, man was still worth saving. Man was worth the pain and heartaches, if it meant that we would get to share precious moments with Him in eternal life.
One day after a hard day at work, after I dropped Edison to night school, I picked the kids up from day care, and they expected me to carry their back packs and lunch boxes for them. I explained to them that I had to wake up very early that morning to prepare their lunches, go to work all day, pick them up from school, take care of them when we got home, and I had to wake up early the next morning to do it all again. (Yeah I know, the story of our lives, right?) I then asked, "Is it too much to ask, for you to help me out by carrying your stuff please?"
They quietly carried their back packs and lunch boxes. A couple of weeks went by before another one of those whining spells broke out. And I just had to keep reminding them - again and again - about helping Mommy out.
And that's when I realized what Lent might be all about: God reminding me to help Him out! After what Jesus had gone through to save me, is it really too much to ask to share His cross? Is it too much to ask to give up complaining?
Lent gives us a whole season to reflect, so that we may apply what we realize throughout the year. But just like Edward and Alison, we probably will forget... another whining spell will break out... and we will revert to our old ways.
But Lent will come - again and again - as a reminder of God's saving love. How beautiful it is to know that our Heavenly Father is never giving up on us!
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love that is beyond imagination... for sending us Jesus to save us and heal us... for the beautiful gift of Lent, of realizing that although we may forget over and over, you will constantly remind us of Your eternal love. Father, into Your hands I commit my life and my spirit. Amen.
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