Spring-Cleaning for the Soul
by Keri Wyatt Kent
posted 3/02/2007
 2 of 2
What should we fast from? Well, what holds you in its grip? What regular unhealthy habits are currently a part of your routine—this could be anything from too much soda pop to excess negativity.
What if you were to fast from merely saying the words, "hurry up"? When you're stuck in traffic, don't say those words (or even think those words) to the driver in front of you. When you are getting ready to go somewhere with your children, don't tell them to hurry. When you are listening to the kids you minister to, actually listen, rather than finishing their sentences or interrupting (both ways we tell people, without saying it directly, to hurry). How many times a day do you say "hurry up"? What is that doing to your soul?
Fasting during Lent provides an opportunity to let go of the things my hands are full of, to get rid of some of the clutter in my soul. Let the spring-cleaning begin.
For further reflection:
Ruth Haley Barton has written a great article about Lent, "Crossing the Threshold into Lent".
Lynne Baab's excellent book, Fasting, offers wonderful insights on the freedom that this discipline brings us.
Keri Wyatt Kent's For Your Soul column appears in this space once a month. Keri is a Promiseland volunteer, author, and speaker. This column is original and not excerpted from any of her books. Learn more about her ministry at www.keriwyattkent.com.
Copyright © 2007 Promiseland.
| 
share this page
