Day 1: I laid down for a nap hungry. I woke hungry. I went to bed hungry. I remembered that while simple foods fill they do not satisfy. Fats and proteins and all the extras in between are hard to let go of.
Day 2: JoyAnna (5) was reflecting on the purpose of eating rice & beans and then asked "So is it EVIL to be rich?" No, my dear, not evil, but certainly tricky. Makes me think of Proverbs 30:8-9: "...give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the name of my God."
Day 3: Josiah (7) getting ready for school: "The bad thing about Rice & Beans month is that we don't get to eat school lunch." Something inside me sank. This is our third year participating in R&B month and we attempt to keep the family discussion open as we brainstorm the guidelines for how we will participate. While R&B month is about sacrifice, it isn't only about what we give up. Typically our boys pack their lunch four days and get to buy at the school once a week. By not buying, we save almost $28. But what is $20, $30, even $300 when our hearts are frustrated? Does God really desire such a sacrifice? We took a moment today to re-consider our decision not to buy school lunch during R&B month. We posted a wall chart with the areas where we can save this month. We can buy what we choose and then chart our spending and savings... with cheerful hearts.
Day 4: John Z. (10): "Hey! It's Ash Wednesday. We should eat lentils & rice today!" We made LENTil, brown rice, apple muffins & LENTil & rice burritos! Happy Lent!
Day 5: JoyAnna (5): "If I could choose to eat rice & beans or lobster, I would choose rice & beans and not that other yucky stuff!" Ha, ha! I guess it's all a matter of perspective, right?
Day 6: JZ reacting to black bean & brown rice flour brownies: "I'm surprised by the unexpected freedoms during Rice & Beans month!" I smiled. The same restrictions that seem to suffocate also open doors of liberation. Beautiful.
Day 7: Tonight was our weekly celebration meal. We scheduled four of these during our "fast" with each child rotating the menu choice. JoyAnna chose swirl pasta with white sauce, meatballs & carrots with dip. Celebration meals are super fun. Everyone is soooo grateful and full of delight over that which was considered routine merely a week ago. I love it!!
Day 8: A couple of us came down with the stomach bug. Rice cakes & ginger ale are serving us nicely. We are blessed.
Daniel getting ready for some red beans and rice...
Bryan enjoying some meatless chili... Mmmm!
Josiah's spanish rice & refried bean food art
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