Fasting for the first time

   I have decided to try fasting one day a week. Today will be the first day. I chose Tuesday's because I am usually so busy at work during the day on Tuesday's that I don't think much about eating anyway. I have the little fridge in my office stocked with bottles of water and prayed about it this morning. I am sure it will take a lot of praying during the day to get me through. In fact it may take Jesus himself slapping my hand away from the fridge when I get home tonight! Of course that is kind of the point, to learn to lean on Jesus and focus more on Him.
   When I told one of my coworkers yesterday what I had decided to do she asked me if I was gong to have my office door shut. I asked her why. She said because she knows she gets cranky when she doesn't eat and she figured I would be in a bad mood and pretty much the only time I close my office door is when I am in a bad mood. Yikes. Guess I am pretty predictable!
   But I heard a great song this morning by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Do Everything" that says to do everything you do to the glory of God. (That is the basis of tomorrow's column, by the way.) So I am going to trust in Him to not only help me stick to the fast today but to do it with a smile — or at least not a snarl! — on my face. I'll let you know how it goes.

Matthew 6:16-18 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.