This morning I took a walk. Not a walk for cardio. Not a walk with a destination.

Just a walk.

I walked leisurely along the seashore with no concept of time, just listening to my music and looking down at my shoes.

Yup, looking down at my shoes while there's a gorgeous view of the Alamitos Bay just to my right, pelicans and herrons perched on buoys, and with the morning sun peaking through the cloud cover.

If anyone needed a head lifter today it was me.

It's no secret that this season has been a rough one. This past week was even rougher. And then yesterday the hammer came down. HARD.

“When is enough going to be enough God?!”

That was my heart's cry yesterday... and so today I chose to fast, to pray, to listen, and to reflect. I chose to inentionally quiet my heart and mind so that I would be ready when God decided to move powerfully. I know He's there and I know He's moving, but I think I've just been too distracted to hear Him or see Him. So, today was the day I needed it to happen.

And it did.

He got my attention. I'm not entirely sure how, but this morning on my seemingly purposeless walk I heard His still, small voice.

“Look up, child.”

As the breeze picked up and the sun shone down, He lifted my face to the sky... and it happened.

With eyes closed and chin lifted, a smile appeared on my face. For no reason, but in finding simple joy in that moment and finally feeling God's presence after a long absence. The moment was fleeting, but it was so incredibly needed.

It may not have been the power move I wanted, but He knew that it was just what I needed and in His sovereignty, His omnipotence, and His glory I take rest.

He is my Beloved, my Rumn Ro'sh, my Head Lifter and He is near. Selah.



"But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head
To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah.
 I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me." - Psalm 3:3-5

 
 
Preparation. Foundation. Formation.

That is what my day consists of today, the first day of this Lenten Season. Normally by now I've figured out what I want to give up for Lent & in the past my "sacrifices" have been pretty superficial. Last year it was french fries. No joke. I mean really, Lauren? French fries are interfering with your relationship with God? I highly doubt it. 

But this year, it's legit. This year I have prayerfully considered Lent as a spiritual practice & have actually put some thought into it. Go figure! So today is the day of preparation. Today is the day that I am fasting from food & seeking God's direction for my personal Lenten season.

 
 
Today I fast. 

I fast in preparation for the Prayer Experience with my Rooted group. I fast to humble myself & quiet my own spirit in order to make room for the Holy Spirit. I fast to empty myself so that the divine Spirit of God can fill me to the brim. I fast as a spiritual discipline to remove all distractions, all vices, and all toxins. 

Fasting is a very personal decision for everyone and it is no different for me. When it was first recommended that we fast before our Prayer Experience I didn't think much of it. I've fasted before, so I knew I could do it. But each time I've fasted it's been for entirely different reasons. Sometimes I've fasted out of vanity, sometimes out of obligation, but never because I've felt specifically called to fast.