I’m writing this today, off the cuff. Unplanned. Mainly because it took me by surprise, and I thought I would share it with you all. I write this not because my kiddos are perfect…they’re not. And surely not because I’m perfect. I’m far from it…but because I took a few super amazing things away from what happened over dinner…and hope it can help someone else too.
There are people in devastating circumstances everywhere. I feel as if the last few weeks of hurricane after hurricane and then the earthquake in Mexico City, it’s been hard to watch. It’s horrific to be the one in the situation and also the one watching from a television set, praying. Praying for mercy from the storms, protection for the people in harms way, praying for life to rise out of the darkest of times…and for Jesus’s name to be known.
Tonight I had the weather channel on, listening as I cooked dinner…listening for the impact the current hurricane is having or not having on so many islands south of Florida. While my attention was on cooking, my kiddos huddled around the tv. The weather forecaster switched gears on me and started a video about the earthquake that had just left Mexico City devastated. Before I could do anything about it, my kiddos had seen images I wish they hadn’t and heard about many who had lost their lives. There were a lot of questions. I answered most of them to the best of my ability and ended with explaining to them that our prayers change things. God hears our prayers and we should be praying for all the many people who have been touched by all the devastation in the last few weeks.
This was next “Everyone come to the table, dinner is ready!” Once they all sat down, one of them sat there and said something that caught me off guard.
“I’m going to fast dinner tonight.”
me: “Excuse me?”
“I want to fast dinner for all the people who are hurting from the earthquake and the hurricanes. Is that okay?”
Silence. A good 30 seconds of it. I honestly wasn’t sure what to answer…so I said hesitantly “Sure, do you know what fasting is?”
“Yes, and I really want to.”
me: “Okay then.”
That dinner bowl of chili was left uneaten tonight…and that seat at the table, empty. My child went upstairs and prayed instead. Speechless. We’ve not really “taught” our kids on fasting before…except that they’ve seen us do it. But in the midst of what had just been seen on tv…a young child’s heart had the conviction to stop, fast and pray.
Sitting here tonight I realize the lesson the Lord just taught me. There was no complaining, no big to-do…just a child who knew and trusted the power of fasting… lifting up your voice to the God of the entire Universe. Why hadn’t I thought of that over these last weeks? I don’t really know, except to say…I learned a great lesson tonight. And I won’t let it be wasted.
I am being challenged to not just pray, but to fast [to withhold from something for a period of time and instead of doing that thing, praying.]…for the thousands of lives that have been devastated over recent weeks and for the ones in harms way right this very moment. Petitioning God for protection, calm waters, peace, deliverance, restoration and His light to shine in the darkness…Will you join me
Ephesians 3:20-21 - “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”
[If you would like more information on fasting, feel free to message or leave a comment and I will do my best to get you a bunch of information on it!]