Day One of the fast has nearly drawn to a close. Today, I have successfully avoided sweet foods/desserts, TV/Cable (including movies), and Facebook. Here are my impressions:
1. I thought the hardest thing in this day of the fast would be the challenge of avoiding Facebook. I spend a LOT of time on FB, viewing updates, making my own. Because of this habit I have adopted, I went to the trouble of deleting the FB app on my phone so I wouldn't access the site automatically, without even thinking. Some habit, huh?
Interestingly, though, thus far FB really hasn't been a temptation for me. I haven't really noticed its absence THAT MUCH. There were a couple of times today that I thought about it, would have gone to the site if I had not been fasting, but I suppose, because I'm really busy right now, I didn't think too much about it.
2. I really didn't realize how addicted to TV I've become again. Honestly, I thought it wasn't a big deal. But at the end of Day One of the Fast, I can already tell that THIS is the biggest issue for me to avoid. I spend more time than I realize in front of the TV, just to unwind, mainly, get my mind off of the day. Not that I'm watching anything inappropriate or anything--because I'm not. But I see that I really do spend a LOT of time "unwinding." It's just really easy to do. And that it gets dark by 6 p.m. doesn't help. Makes me want to get under the covers and turn the TV on and zone out, burrow down, hibernate.
3. Though I went to the church to pray tonight, at the designated time set for the church to come together to pray during the fast, I felt once again that my most effective prayer time was at the track. I literally LOVE going to the track to unwind, think about God, His promises, His plan for my life. The track really has become an important part of my life--physically and spiritually. I can see that now.
4. We went to lunch at Pizza Hut today, with my friends from work, and honestly I was a little tentative about it because I LOVE the cinnamon desserts they have there. There have been times that I have loaded up a large plate with them and eaten them all by myself. I have some sort of craving for them when I see them. Today, I wasn't even tempted. I didn't miss any of the desserts on the buffet--though I watched my friends eat theirs. I don't even recall having any sort of craving for them. The sweetest things I've had today include one cup of coffee and a cup of hot chocolate--one for the caffeine I so desperately needed at school; the other, right now as I type this, because I have acquired a chill that will not go away. I know it will warm me.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Because I'm still adjusting to the fast, I have not felt one of those moments where I have "connected with God" more than usual today...But the night isn't over. I'm going to get off of here and get in some studying before I go to bed tonight. I still need to work on the topic for Wednesday night. I suppose my fifth thought is emerging as I write this:
5. I'm still so very busy in my schedule that I haven't been able to go "above and beyond" in my attempt to connect with God. I've STILL got a lot on my mind--so many things I must do, pay, learn, study--it's hard to just really shut it all off and "get away with God" when there is so much going on in the back of my mind. It's just hard for me right now. So, I suppose one thing that will now make my prayer list: DE-CLUTTERING my mind, my days, a bit more--so I can properly take the time to be with God, my thoughts, His thoughts.
END OF DAY ONE THOUGHTS
No comments:
Post a Comment