Seven Days...

It's been about a week. No smoke, no drink and no sweets and in the words of Wanday…I'm ok with that :) I feel like a grown up. I feel like not only my heart is in the right place but my mind is starting to make the right moves as well. 

A couple weeks ago I didn't feel like I was the awesome woman I wanted to be. I mean, I knew I was on the awesome woman path. That destination was guaranteed because I knew I wasn't going to quit making progress until I was there. After a couple bad days and some much needed enlightenment at bible study I found that I am her and she is me. 

Months ago I felt like God was preparing me for a fast. I didn't know when or how but I knew that it was coming. I knew that the time was going to present itself and it was up to me to take ahold of the opportunity for growth. When my pastor mentioned a church-wide fast a couple months ago I was less than surprised, for I felt the change drawing near. She asked us to give up one thing we that we felt maybe distracting and/or hindering us from gaining a deeper relationship with God. After thinking about the fast for a couple weeks and trying to decide what I would be fasting it came down to three things that I felt would be good candidates for the sacrifice:

My smoking was a crutch; I used it to get through my day. When I felt bored or when I felt stressed that what I would do. Instead of calling on God to instruct me I would get hi. The expensive habit that It was, I knew it had to be broken. 

My drinking was something fun to do on the weekends and a way to let lose and feel good with my friends. Not a terrible problem. I wasn't getting drunk or drinking everyday or even every weekend for that matter but I know the liquor isn't good for me and a nice break could do me some good. I thought it might be nice to try having a bit of fun without it. 

Sweets grabbed me when I recently gave up meat. I started slow and gave up poultry, pork, and beef several months ago. I kept eating the fish knowing one day I would stop eating it also but wanted to pace myself. When I gave up fish and seafood a few months ago I turned to sweets for eating pleasure. The holidays were the worst, sitting at the dinner table with a baked potato and green beans on my plate. The Thanksgiving dinner I usually couldn't get enough of was heavily  laden with meat products, so I guilt-freely indulged on the meat-free pie that came afterward. I continued to eat my way though the holiday cookies and cakes until I realized I had an issue on my hands. I had become addicted to sugar. Without spending too much time Googling you will see why this is a terrible thing. Years ago I realized that if my body isn't well enough to do what God is asking of me, I'm worthless to the advancement of His kingdom. I feel like too many Christians fail to realize or get serious about the fact that physical and spiritual health go hand in hand.

Moving forward, I was at bible study one Wednesday night with a friend of mine still trying to figure out which bad habit would go, when I heard God's voice say, "Fast all three."

"All three?" I asked myself.

"All three." He replied.

I wanted to forget what I had heard but I couldn't. God said it and that settled it. Seven days down and I feel good. I'm not going to tell you this is how I have felt all week because it's not. Monday morning I passed a handful of items I wanted to get my hands on before I had even taken my first break. I find the sweets have been, by far, the hardest thing to get out of my mind but I'm doing well. I haven't even added sugar or honey to my tea. 

In my first week I've been shown many things about myself I never knew or just ignored. I thank God for the clarity and peace He has brought. I thank God for the strength He has provided and put inside me for such times as these. I'm seeing the power and speed in God as I learn to surrender and obey His will for me and not to my own. 

Pray that I may be enlightened further and my eyes opened wider. Pray I don't lose it when I pass the "Hot Now" sign at the Krispy Kreme down the street. Also, Importantly, pray for your own revelation and see what God has for you.