My Fasting from the Fastness of Life

Within the Christian life one is encouraged to fast. Fasting usually refers to abstaining from food, however one could abstain from anything they wanted to. I've had friends and family fast from food, soda, television, the Internet, chocolate and so on. Why would one choose to give up a favorite activity or food? Because the time brings us to a higher understanding of how great God is and how much we might depend on material objects and deepens our prayer life as we focus more on our Maker. This is a completely voluntary activity.
So, I wanted to fast from something. Since I was anorexic in my crazy days I can't touch fasting from food with a ten-foot pole. I'd love to depend on God as one would need to when giving up food, but I won't tread where angels fear to go.
I began praying about what I could give up for God for a week. Television, the Internet, and soda is all a bit too easy for me. I've given up talk radio before. That was a good one for me. However, this time around I believed God was calling me to fast from shopping.
When Brad and I were newlyweds all the way into the second year of Kaeley's life we were very strategic with money. I knew which stores had the best deals on what items. That's a great thing to know, but it then gives you no choice but to visit several stores through out the week. I think that fostered a habit and a commonality that I have carried into the lives of three children. I'm so spoiled now that I will run out of bananas and rush off to the store the next day. Never mind the fact that I could eat the apples, oranges, and frozen berries that are currently in the kitchen.
Back to my fast. I fasted from all shopping starting Sunday and will go back to "normal" next Sunday.
Now I don't want to go back to normal. This has been such an eye-opening time for me. I realized how much I automatically think about shopping for items that I don't need immediately. I realized how comforting the shopping is to me or how I use it as entertainment. Don't get me wrong. We are no where near in-debt. I don't spend more than we have. But the habit is there.
On Sunday I won't go shopping even though my fast will be over. I don't think I'll need to go shopping until Thursday for a Christmas trip to Target.
I want to spend more time at home relaxing (or as close as we can get) with my children. I want to look at the budget and be proud that I used what I had or practiced self-control instead of immediate gratification. I want to know I was a good steward with my time, my family, and our funds.
Transforming. It was a good experience. Thank You, God, for opening my eyes. Let this Christmas scene be a good one for us. Help me to choose spending time with family over the craziness of the season. Help me choose peace over obligations and the seeming appearance of "perfection".