Fast Fast

I have been pondering on what to do this year to mark Lent. I’ve already volunteered to lead some Churches Together Lent Bible Study Groups – but that isn’t a proper ‘Lenten Challenge’ [not that I am suggesting it is some sort of penance – see below]

Tom Ringland, our Rector, has a good piece in his Parish Magazine this month about ‘Up’ – maybe not so much ‘giving up’ something, but ‘building up’ our faith, perhaps ‘taking up’ something that will make us healthier Christians [physically and spiritually] …and we must not ‘give up’ the challenge

What is ‘True Fasting’ all about?  My mate Gaz is doing this one.

The American Pastor, Marjorie Thompson, an American pastor and writer has asked this question

Fasting is trendy at the moment- mostly among dieting friends. But they mean ‘eating fewer calories on some days, in order to lose weight’ – they don’t claim any spiritual merit for the exercise.But aside from food – other blogfriends are doing a Clothing Fast

Read more about it here, and here. I understand the principles behind it – but don’t think that one is for me. I can’t wear the same clothes to kneel on the floor beside a 5 year old at school as I wear to preach on a Sunday, and then there are the jeans I wear for housework and  [and of course Hayley’s wedding in April] Plus I think I would have to do laundry every other day. Nope that’s out!

I do enjoy chocolate, but I can take it or leave it [actually, if I leave it, Bob will probably eat it on my behalf] I still have at least one box left over from Christmas.

Oh dear…what shall I do? Tom’s article suggests “create some space in each day …change the pace of our busy lives… use that time in a focussed way to reflect on commitments…priorities…what God may be saying” For many years I have followed the practice of having a daily ‘Quiet Time’ when I read Scripture and pray’…but I want to do something more this Lent.

So I have decided to ‘Fast from Fast’. During Lent I shall try to slow down a bit – specifically by cutting back on multi-tasking. I acknowledge that often my attempts to save time by doing two or more tasks at once result in disasters which take even longer to sort.

• When I sit and watch a TV programme with Bob, I shall give my full attention to the screen, and to Bob’s conversation [not lose the plot, because I am wrestling with some knitting or complicated crochet pattern]
• When I put on the CD a friend has recommended, I shall close my eyes and listen to it – right through – not leap up half way to make a cup of tea, or read a magazine at the same time
• When I’m sitting by the computer and the phone rings, I shall converse intelligently with the caller and not play Solitaire when they are talking to me! [I only do this sometimes, but confess it is a bad habit, not good manners at all]
• When I am cooking, I shall slow down a little, and concentrate just on getting the meal ready. Trying to fold laundry, and unload the dishwasher at the same time as frying sausages and scrambling eggs is a recipe for disaster. Yet I still do it.

I am sure other things will occur to me over the next 6 weeks. As I have started to make the list, I can see that so many of these activities are ones which involve relationships and conversations. People matter more than activities or things. Jesus showed his love for people by spending time with them, by listening to their concerns, by ensuring they were properly fed. Slow me down, Lord!

What challenges are you taking up this Lent?