He speaks Part 3

The next part of this particular Daniel fast was to read the story of King David and his building an alter to sacrifice something. The gist of the story is that David was to build and alter. He approached a man about some materials and the man said "I will just give them to you." David said, "no I will pay you full price for the materials for the alter for what good is my sacrifice if it doesn't cost me..."

So the devotion for that day asked me to think of something to sacrifice. It needed to be something I could give daily until the fast was complete. I began to think (which was the first problem). I thought to myself "I will give up coffee." But not having coffee was part of the fast itself. I thought "I will sacrifice my Christmas bonus from the church. I will write a check to Mary's Kids in the amount of my bonus!" No that wouldn't work because it had to be a daily sacrifice. Something that would be "inconvenient or stretch me beyond my comfort" so the description said. Okay.....

I began about my day and started to pray about what God would have me sacrifice. Then it hit me like a bolt! Make-up....

"Oh no Lord, surely not make-up." I am not a vain person, and I often went without it (at my own choosing). My mind began to bounce around all the places and events I would attend over the next 3 weeks where I would have to show my pale uneven skin tone. I closed my eyes and sighed. Okay Lord. If you have something to teach to me in this, I am willing to sacrifice make-up for the next 3 weeks.

And so I attended a New Year's party the following day without make-up. There were little cuties with perfectly shadowed eyelids and sparkly lip gloss accented by peach cheeks and eyelashes to die for in the room. Some were good friends. Some were people I didn't know; and here there I sat without a stitch of make-up. I attended church the following day without make-up. Work was not that difficult because I am pretty much alone during that time anyway. I took Price to school and picked him up without make-up on. I attended a girls brunch with some besties (who kept telling me they couldn't really tell I was without make-up, yeah right, but thanks girls : ) They too are all very beautiful. One who is a red haired bombshell with a natural knack for pulling off eclectic and chic. One who was a former Mrs. Oklahoma 2010 (need I say more) and another who has a very polished and trendy touch. And then there was me.

When all was said and done with sacrificing make-up, I learned a lot about myself. I learned I use make-up to conceal what I don't want others to see (blemishes, redness, uneven skin tone, dark spots or circles). I highlight what I want them to see (glossy lips, long eyelashes and perfectly peached cheeks). How reflective that is of my life! Not only in my relation to others but to my God who sees right through "concealer." He is not fooled by my mask. He sees right into my heart. He knows this smile means nothing when my heart is breaking. There is no fooling him into thinking I am better off than I really am. He knows. He cares. He loves me.

All in all the fast was a very spiritual experience for me. The sacrifice of make-up was the most challenging for me. More than the food. I will post again with specific things that were revealed to me during this time of praying for clarity.