Bread

As you might expect, I have been mulling over the words, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."

This is particularly meaningful while I'm fasting because I realize how often I think about food. It's not even that I'm hungry right now (I'm not). But I am constantly catching myself about to eat out of habit. Making lunch for the kids? Eat a couple wheat thins. Coming into the house from working outside? Grab a handful of cashews. Try a friend's dish at a restaurant. Eat some popcorn while watching television. And then there's actual meals. I mean, we'll arrange our day around where and when we are eating.

Food is an integral part of my life. I think about it, prepare for it, critique it, share it. It's amazing how much more my life can be centered around my stomach instead of God. Is my life more centered around God because of this fast? I don't know. I don't think so, not really. But it's less centered around food, and the tyranny of my body's demands. And that's a good thing.

I end the fast next Friday night. I'm praying that I'll be out of the habit of unquestioning obedience to my body's demands and be on the way to a habit of unquestioning obedience to the Holy Spirit.