Becky Kiel

My third day with no food. The last meal was lunch on Wednesday: a turkey, cheddar, Parmesan ranch, black olives, and lettuce on marble rye with a caramel-pecan dessert bar from Belle Rose in Nevada, Missouri. The rest of Wednesday I had only water – no supper, no snack, no carbonated drink, no frappuccino. Just filtered tap water, sometimes with ice. The same for Thursday, Friday, and most of today: Saturday.

Why? Body and soul. My laptop needs to shut down and re-start occasionally. I, myself, need a fresh start. And that’s really hard to do. Jesus spoke of prayer and fasting.

On this Saturday morning, I happily report the loss of 5 unwanted pounds. I am convinced that if I spent these days fasting without prayer or meditation, those pounds would quickly return. My brain out of habit would tell my body to return to Wednesday’s weight. That’s been good enough for so long, why change now?

Also, weight loss isn’t enough. I intend for body, mind, and soul to experience these 3 days in harmony.

What is my mind seeking during this time?  How to handle changes that are coming. After 12 years of persistent writing, learning, and revising, my novel is almost finished: only 170 pages left to revise. It will be finished next month. That’s scary. Now, I know how to write well; how to get published is a mystery. I didn’t choose these particular 3 days on a random whim. I fast with intention because I’m approaching a major change as to who I am in this world. Anticipating the move from aspiring writer to published writer is huge.

Body, mind, and soul. My soul wants this new venture to be entered in harmony with the will of the Holy Spirit, the source of every creative effort. In reasoning mode my mind wonders: which new venture? Getting published – yes? Beginning studies to become a Parish Ministry Associate? That too?

The part-time pastor of our small, rural Lutheran church (ELCA) is urging both my husband, Dyke Kiel, and me to take the associate ministry plunge. I thought our therapist friends would say that’s crazy; we both already have enough stuff to be done. Instead, their reaction was that’s great. Our counseling service needs spiritual counselors. That’s you two. Guys, you could have helped us say no.

Does prayer and fasting really help me face life changes?

I’ll leave that question hanging.

For supper tonight: shrimp linguine with garlic, fresh parsley, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. A dish of strawberries with honey stirred into Greek yogurt.