13/11/2012
A Tough 3rd Day*
On the last day of a recent 3 day blog fast, my girls asked me to watch a movie with them. The movie was a Japanese Anime Film and the boy in the movie had no technology in his home. They only had a dial-phone and lots of books.
My youngest daughter (9yrs) was fascinated by this film, it inspired her to want to take a break from technology herself. She expressed to me her desire to go on a technology fast. This little angel had ideals of lasting a whole week with no TV, no Nintendo DS, no Wii, no computer, no mp3 player, no DVD’s, nothing!
We discussed this at some length, I explained that a whole week is a very long time for a little girl and perhaps it could be something she works up towards. I explained my theory about 3day fasts. They are achievable yet still a trial. We have more chance of hanging in there and keeping our promise, than risk being tempted into breaking our agreement with God. She seemed quite happy with this, wrote out her agreement in her prayer journal and the next morning began her task.
As my fast had now finished, I was sitting in my office replying to comments when her little face popped up over the back of the couch at me.
“Mummy! Guess what I just nearly did!” She blasted at me at top speed.
I gave her an inquiring look “What did you just nearly do?”
“I just turned the Wii on because I am finished getting ready for school. Good job I realised in time hey!” She grinned as she flipped around to turn it back off.
“Well done Honey” I cheered, “Good for you! It’s easy to slip-up, but well done for being strong enough to catch yourself.”
She grabbed her Children’s Bible, curled up on the lounge and read it until we left for school. When she got home she was heading to her room and had to pass the TV, which was on. She got caught up, it was like it reached out and grabbed her, after a couple of seconds she shook her head and kept on her way (Bless her).
This kid has so much faith it astounds me. For the next two days she kept to her word, she read books, drew pictures and played outside. I taught her how to play Gin Rummy, which we played a lot.
On the third day she started to struggle. It was a weekend and the day was dragging, we had tidied up and completed some chores, but she was being tempted with dreams of Mario Kart. I reminded her that this fast was her idea, that she had wanted to go a whole week and here she was struggling on only day 3. I encouraged her to ask God for help and explained that if we can resist something when it is hardest, in those times we really really want something, it gives our faith a huge boost. Plus, we show God how much we really want to keep our promises to please Him, rather than pleasing ourselves and our flesh. She said a prayer and then began reading a hefty novel, which she had been too overwhelmed to attempt before.
As the day turned to night, I was getting ready to head out to a friend’s birthday, and my daughter began yearning again. Snuggling up at the end of a Saturday with a movie is a common practice for our family, and she was itching for it. She didn’t want to just ‘break’ her promise so instead asked me if she could. I told her if she wanted to break her fast it would have to be her choice, and that I wasn’t going to give her permission so she could blame me for not reaching her goal. I reminded her of all the things I had said earlier, that she was so very close now and that is always when it gets hardest. I explained that if she broke her promise now, before her agreement was fulfilled, then the past 2 and a half days would be wasted.
She went back to her room to pray for more help and I left unsure of how strong she would remain without me to support her. So I said my own prayer asking for the Lord to keep her strong and keep the enemy from tempting her. When I arrived home later that night all was quiet, everyone was asleep. I wanted so desperately to wake her up and see if she had achieved this monumental goal.
I waited until my eyes sprang open then next morning, “How did you go Honey? Did you end up watching a movie or did you manage to keep your promise?”
Her little face beamed back at me “I didn’t watch a movie Mummy. God helped me keep my promise and I read this much of my book” She held up her novel and showed a quarter of it sectioned off with a bookmark.
I was so overcome with joy as tears ran down my cheeks, I made such a big deal of her triumph. Throughout the day I kept reminding her how very pleased I was with her, because it is one thing for a parent to discipline a child, but for a child of 9 years old to discipline herself was a huge accomplishment. I don’t know many adults who have that much self-discipline or faith. I strongly feel that exercising faith and self-control is extremely important, especially in a day and age when self-indulgence is so widely encouraged. Proudest Mum ever!
sunshinereflections said,
13/11/2012 at 7:31 am
This blessed me. Thanks for sharing 🙂
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The Water Bearer said,
13/11/2012 at 7:32 am
Thank you for reading, I am so glad it blessed you! 🙂
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jumpingonclouds said,
13/11/2012 at 12:29 pm
Wow. Wow. Wow! What an inspiration… You must have felt so proud and happy for her. That’s a huge step in so many big areas of character development.
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The Water Bearer said,
13/11/2012 at 1:04 pm
Yes Thank you. It’s is monumental!… I am more than proud of my faithful girl! I hope it can set a firm foundation to a life full of the ability to avoid temptation, and sacrifice the flesh in order to build her faith to great heights. 🙂 Amen!
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graciehill48 said,
13/11/2012 at 10:41 pm
I echo what jumpingonclouds said. My response was Wow, Wow, Wow…that child of yours achieved on her own what I spent years trying to instill in the children I taught. Wow…I thank God for her and you are blessed..
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The Water Bearer said,
14/11/2012 at 6:12 am
Thank you for your wonderful comment Gracie, I am very blessed by both my girls. They are stunning examples of goodness and faithfulness and I thank God so very much for them everyday! 🙂
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nature789 said,
13/11/2012 at 11:21 pm
This is your fruit….. well done in teaching your daughter to ask God for help to overcome temptation. Thank you for sharing your heart, your daughter is very inspiring to others including me. God bless her and her Mum. 🙂
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The Water Bearer said,
14/11/2012 at 6:14 am
Thank you so much Tj. That is so very kind of you. I am so glad she inspired you, and I am so grateful for faithful children. It is the best blessing a mother could ask for! Blessings to you! 🙂
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nature789 said,
13/11/2012 at 11:22 pm
Reblogged this on Tj's Garden and commented:
Add your thoughts here… (optional)
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The Water Bearer said,
14/11/2012 at 6:14 am
How wonderful…Thank you 🙂
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Dilip said,
14/11/2012 at 1:36 am
Truly awesome and inspiring!
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The Water Bearer said,
14/11/2012 at 6:16 am
Thank you for dropping by and for taking the time to comment, Dilip. I am so glad you were inspired! Blessings to you! 🙂
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4hispraise said,
15/11/2012 at 2:24 am
What a refreshing story. Out of the mouths of babes. She did not borrow her faith… she owns it.
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The Water Bearer said,
15/11/2012 at 9:26 am
Thank you. Yes she certainly owns her faith. It is an true inspiration! I am so grateful to be able to watch it bloom and grow in her. Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
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mylifeandhowiseeit said,
15/11/2012 at 6:55 am
That is so wonderful! Good job to your daughter and to you for helping her go to God!
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The Water Bearer said,
15/11/2012 at 9:27 am
Thank you so much for reading and the encouraging comment. Blessings to you!
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liliessparrowsandgrass said,
21/11/2012 at 11:39 am
How precious! What a beautiful heart your daughter has! “Values are caught, not taught”, it is often said, and this is well reflected in what you shared. My daughter is grown up now, but your story reminds me of those precious moments with her as a child. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. God bless you.
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The Water Bearer said,
21/11/2012 at 4:00 pm
That is such a lovely comment. Thank you so much for taking the time to write it. And thanks for reading. Blessings to you!
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coastalmom said,
26/11/2012 at 1:02 am
What a great lesson… I can learn a thing or two from you guys!!!! 😉
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The Water Bearer said,
26/11/2012 at 8:30 am
Thank you Sweet Sister. We can all learn something from each other. Blessings to you!
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Turning His Face | Inner Angels & Enemies said,
08/05/2013 at 8:49 am
[…] foundation of a successful fast, is giving up anything that seeks to control us, anything we enjoy enough to get lost in, or find a […]
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