On Lent. And the Daniel Fast.

I desire to draw nearer the cross: to experience Christ's sacrifice more profoundly so as to experience, more profoundly, the miracle of His resurrection. It should be such a source of joy: Christ's resurrection, but it's challenging, isn't it? to live in joy, sometimes. It's been a long, hard (albeit mild) winter, here, and I want to burst forth into spring, leaving all my disappointments and hurts behind.

So I'm participating in Lent. I've given up my computer during the girls' awake hours, and it's been harder than I'd like to admit. Just this morning, I opened my laptop and played around for a few minutes before looking at Jim, exclaiming: "Oh my goodness! I'm not supposed to be on the computer, right now! Why didn't you say something?" and hurriedly shutting that business down.

Because I've been in the blogosphere less, I've been up in actual books more, and--as I shared with you the other day--I just finished Mark Batterson's The Circle Maker. Batterson writes about fasting as a way to circle something in prayer, also about how he's used the Daniel Fast, in particular, to commune more closely with the Lord.

I'm truly not easily influenced (Just ask my mom, who's been participating in fasts for years!), but I felt an immediate pull to try the Daniel Fast for a couple reasons. First of all, my weight's as out of control as it's been for a long time. Now, before you get your feathers all ruffled, let me explain: I know one shouldn't fast in order to lose weight; however, since the Daniel Fast is a 21-day fast, and since it takes 21 days to change a habit, I'm looking at this as an opportunity to reset my body and change my eating habits permanently with God's help: the only way these things will ever happen.

After the 21 days, I'll reintroduce lean meats and small amounts of dairy. Hopefully not so much giant bowls of ice cream and slices of cake.

In The Circle Maker, Batterson encourages his readers to write down life goals, which is the second reason I'm fasting: I feel led to write down my life goals, and I want them inspired, approved, and blessed by the Lord.

I'd intended to start my Daniel Fast March 1, but--when I told Jim--he got this crazy look on his face and confessed: he'd secretly arranged for Mrs. Darlene to babysit that evening so he could take me to The Melting Pot. So I started my Daniel Fast just yesterday. Not to discourage anyone, but I suffered with a terrible headache all day. At one point, I sent a text message to a friend who participated in a caffeine/food detox at the beginning of the year, asking how many days of headaches. ("Three," she answered.)

Thankfully, I feel great, today. I'm eating plenty of the approved foods and forcing myself to drink lots of water.

Anyway, I'm writing about my Lenten and fasting habits not for recognition, but for accountability. I want to be well in body and spirit, and I appreciate any and all prayers you might offer up for me over the next few weeks.