My first “real” boyfriend was diagnosed with cancer two years into our relationship. It was a hard-fought year of surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation and sadness. It was a heart-breaking year of loss, let down and bittersweet love.

I remember–months after his hair had fallen out, months after his first chemo treatment, months after he lost all his body weight, months after I first locked eyes with a 5 year old hooked up to machines just to stay alive, months after our lives were rocked for the worst — going out to dinner for the first time.

We went to our favorite restaurant, all dressed up…

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Every year, I tend to spend the weeks and days leading up to Christmas wondering…

What must have been going through Mary’s mind that night before Christmas so many years ago? The poor young girl in labor – yet still a virgin – giving birth in a stable of all places, after traveling on a donkey for hours and hours.  Can any of the moms here sympathize??

And Joseph – can we talk about a keeper, ladies?!  Standing by Mary for all those months leading up to Jesus’ birth. Ignoring the shame and torment from others in the neighborhood who couldn’t possibly understand the miracle that was about to happen..What was he thinking?!

What could the earthly parents of Jesus been feeling that night before our Christ was born??  What did they talk about on that long journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem? I can’t wait to ask them!

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him   in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.          ~Luke 2:4-7 (NIV)

Spend a moment or two and reflect on that most important Night Before Christmas… What do you think was going through Mary & Joseph’s minds the very night before Jesus was born?

Let’s talk about it!

Comment below and be sure to link up to your own blog using the Mr Linky button below!

Welcome to the new meme of Exemplify! The Weekly Wednesday Whatever is a meme hosted by Melinda of Frugal Grace, right here on the Editor’s Blog of Exemplify.

Weekly, Melinda will share what’s on her mind (you’re going to love her sense of humor!) and then turn the tables on you, asking for your take. You can either answer The Weekly Whatever right here in the comment section or write a post on your own blog about it and link up below.

Whatever you decide, we can’t wait to chat with you!

****

All of you
Is more than enough for all of me, For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love,  And all I have in you is more than enough

~ Jeremy Camp

You don’t hear much about fasting in today’s churches and religious discussions. I know many people that think it’s an outdated concept that went the way of rope sandals and selling doves in the temples. There are a few groups who are still committed to this Biblical process, but they are few and far between in today’s fast-food nation. I mean, it was probably a lot easier to fast when you had to hunt and gather, versus driving up to a window to place your order from your air conditioned car.

There’s a movement among younger Christians to be more bold and “on fire” and devoted to God on a spiritual level, not just sitting in church every Sunday and listening. They want to be involved on a gut level (pardon the pun) with our Creator, and—according to the Bible—fasting is a process by which one can accomplish this.

Two of my friends just finished a forty day fast. Yes, 40 days with absolutely NO food—only juice and water. They say they feel amazing, have tons of energy, but most importantly—feel closer to God than ever.

I hunger for this.

I’ve considered fasting for years, but never really done it long term. I’ve done a day here and there, but that was more often just forgetfulness on my part—getting too busy to remember to eat. Then it would usually end with a huge bowl of cookie dough ice cream at 10 p.m.  I’m thinking this is not how Jesus ended his fasts…

I’ve felt the need to get closer to God, to just let myself be totally dependent on Him, to seek more of Him and MUCH less of me.  I’ve been praying about this for some time now, and what I keep hearing is—I really need to lay down some things at His alter and give them over to Him once and for all. You know how sometimes we say we’ve “given it over to God,” but then we—in our silliness—soon think we need to take back control over the situation. As if we can even think of doing the work that only He can??

I hear more from men about their fasting experiences, but I’d love to hear what women think about it.

Have you fasted?
For how long?
Any advise for someone thinking of attempting a longer-term fast?
What are your general thoughts on fasting?

Let’s talk about it!

Comment below or link back to this post and get feedback from your readers!