My Childhood Wondering About Fasting

“And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.  

“But Jesus called for them, saying, ‘Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.  Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.’” Luke 18:15-18

I was introduced to fasting at age twelve while selling Girl Scout cookies in my neighborhood.  (Note:  I was not a Christian and I loved to eat.) 

Here’s how it started.  There were some girls in my neighborhood who wore school uniforms because they were religious.  They went to Catholic school, (had no idea what that meant).  We did not go to church or talk about God except at Thanksgiving and funerals. 

However, I intended to win the prize for selling the most Girl Scout cookies for the year.  Their house was in walking distance, so I went there to sell them cookies. 

When I got there, they told me they could not have any because they were fasting for Lent.  I thought they said lint but when I got home I pulled out our encyclopedias and did some research (it was long before Google or computers!). 

I learned Lent was about giving up eating meals for 40 days before Easter and had something to do with the time Jesus was fasting in the desert.

I did have a Bible and had read through the Gospels a few times by then and recognized how serious Easter was, with Jesus getting crucified and all.

What might I present to this unknown God as an offering to demonstrate my love of Him?  It had to be something REALLY valuable to me and something that Mom and Dad would not notice.  I wanted God to know I meant business…but what could I do without for 40 days and nights!?.  I was only 12 years old!

I skipped it that first year.  It seemed too difficult.  The next year, however, I prepared myself and prayed and promised God I would give up salt for Lent. 

The fact is, I love lots of salt on my food.  Always have and giving it up gave me a great feeling of self-satisfaction.  I imagined this was joy – joy -- giving Him all the salt I would have liked to have on my food. 

It was hard that first season of Lent.  But I made a way to make it easy.  Every time I reached for the salt shaker or a particularly salty food (no potato chips!) or even found myself thinking how much I wished I hadn't been so foolish to give up salt of all things, I would pray and thank Him for the privilege of knowing Him and being loved by Him.