Ashlie Miller

By Ashlie Miller

Pomp and Circumstance—It’s a tune many of us will be familiar with in the coming weeks. We have some young friends graduating from colleges and high schools; some even within the same family. My husband also has a graduation as he continues to further his education as a lifelong learner.

Although I graduated from UNCC quite some time ago, other ladies I know well have discussed how nice it would be to have taken college classes much later in life rather than fresh out of high school. Our brains were still developing. We understand so much more now and can think more abstractly, critically, and with wisdom.  But, the last time I checked, they don’t hand out diplomas or cords for maturity gained over the years, and only seldom does one receive a degree for life experiences. 

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were graduation celebrations for hitting new levels of maturity and experience in life? There are practical things like learning how to be responsible with a budget, maintaining a first apartment, having a better handle on time management, and home and car ownership responsibilities. As we grow in a family, there is maturity in self-sacrifice as a parent or simply preferring others over oneself. We learn how much one can do with so little sleep.

Then, there are more important things that some learn and master better than others—learning to avoid gossip (giving or receiving), not worrying what others think of you (people-pleasing), replacing FOMO (fear of missing out) with JOMO (joy of missing out), replacing comparisons with contentment, and becoming comfortable in your own skin. 

Though there may not be new certifications, distinctions, diplomas, and celebrations for these significant, life-altering milestones in the lives of Christians, there is something better – sanctification. The word is sometimes as hard to say as the process is to endure, but the rewards are sweet. How often can you look back at your life and say, “Wow, I’m further in that area than I was 6 months or a year ago!”? If our ultimate aim as Christians is transforming into the likeness of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 3:18), shouldn’t we be able to look back and see significant change at various stages of life? I’m not speaking of compromise or the all-too-popular deconstruction that has arisen in recent years. Rather, the results of life-long sanctification are so profound that they can even astound us. In Colossians 3:10, Paul speaks of a new self that is being renewed daily in this process that we gradually journey through. 

While God the Father graciously transforms us thanks to the sanctifying gift of Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection, the fruit of the Holy Spirit shines through our lives (love, joy, peace, etc.). We submit to the work of God in our lives as we allow Him to shake off the things that cling to us. It is a process. It can be painful at times but also beautiful and comforting. But, when we look back, we should see evidence of growing and graduating from one victory to the next. 

As you sit in the crowds this season to view the slow processionals accompanied by the familiar graduation march, take a moment to reflect on areas of life where you, too, have graduated. Glory to God, and hats off to you!

Ashlie Miller celebrates her husband’s recent Master of Arts in Theological Studies. You may send regards or comments to mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

By Ashlie Miller

It was not our first time observing birds; I wrote about watching birds a year ago this time. After all, it is the season of hatchlings making their way out of the nest. This time, however, it was a rescue mission. 

My observant son saw our dog, Bruno, in the backyard, making eyes at something. No barking, just eying down something. Usually, as is the case with many hound mixes, he attempts to feast on whatever it may be – a rodent, a bumblebee, a lizard, a snake, or a bird. When my son saw that all-too-familiar look in Bruno’s eyes, he made a mad dash to see what it was. Behold, a fledgling tufted titmouse – stunned, most likely from a fall from a nest, but further paralyzed by fear of the glaring eye of a large beast!

Heroically, my son rescued the bird from the potential jaws of death and relocated the little birdie to the neighbor’s enclosed yard. Upon further observation, my curious daughter could hear the distressed cries of the baby bird’s parents and sat watchfully outside the fenced-in area to see if the mommy bird would come to the rescue. Eventually, momma swooped down to offer sustenance to her stunned baby. There were periods when it seemed the baby was hopelessly abandoned, but those parental calls indicated that the baby was not forsaken. My sweet girl would encourage the baby, occasionally approaching and sweetly speaking to it.

Before the sun fully set, with gloved hands, she scooped up the fledgling and placed him in a more well-lit area of the yard. She watched as the baby bird found a cozy spot to rest. The next morning, she could hear small chirps from a nest nearby. We assume all is well with this little feathered friend. 

There is nothing like the care of a mother. The worries and seemingly nagging cries may annoy us in childhood or even up through adulthood, but when they are no longer heard, we miss them. The provisions and thoughtfulness that sustain us in our youth and delightfully surprise us later in life are but cherished memories when Mom is no longer here. How will we survive the rest of this life without her watchful eye and care?

Yet, somehow, we make it. Maybe we have someone who checks in on us when something is glaring us down. They may even mobilize us out of our paralyzing posture. There may be a friend sitting just outside our immediate situation who can see that we will be okay. They cheer us on, listen to God’s voice of truth and love, and maybe even relay those reassuring words to us. They may even help us get in a better position to feel protected and cared for. 

But even when that does not feel like the case, there is One loving caregiver who sees all and knows all. If God considers each sparrow that falls, He surely sees us—those made in His image—in our hurts and sadnesses. He rescues us from the jaws of death. He calls to us with words of comfort and care. He provides sustenance to carry on another day, and He even sends us the kindness of others to help us when we feel alone or orphaned.

Do you see someone who is alone or saddened this Mother’s Day? Look for ways to encourage and help. And if you are without a mother on this special day, thank those who have helped and cared for you.

Ashlie Miller was blessed to have a wonderful mother for almost 45 years whom she misses dearly. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

By Ashlie Miller

May the fourth is upon us, and chances are, even if you do not have a Star Wars nerd in your home, you will still hear someone exclaim, “May the fourth be with you!” I have several Star Wars nerds, so I am braced for it. 

The Force. Many have tried comparing it to the Holy Spirit. It is a tempting allegory. Even a casual observer will undoubtedly recognize themes of a great fall and redemption, allusions to a Chosen One or Messiah, and much more throughout the Star Wars franchise. But as with any metaphor, there is a lot of imperfection. Comparing The Force with the Holy Spirit is one of the most significant glaring imperfections. In fact, as I understand it, George Lucas did not really intend for his series to be a comparison to Christianity but rather an exploration of spirituality in general. However, for decades, Christians have tried to draw too many parallels, perhaps at the cost of correctness. Is it a reflection of how Christians have felt, or has it been a tool to wrongly direct unwary saints towards wrong impressions of who or what the Holy Spirit is?

The Holy Spirit is a person of the Trinity that many do not know what to do with. We hear “the power of the Holy Spirit” and envision believers summoning His power in their own efforts. But Jesus told His disciples that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, not usher Him in. We see personable evidence such as He is an advocate (John 14:16), gives life (Romans 8:2), enables others to speak the gospel (Acts 2:4, 8:29), convicts us of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8-11), and comforts and abides with believers (John 14:16-18). 

As Christians, we see the Holy Spirit as a giver of both gifts and fruit. He gives us gifts to build up the church and the kingdom of God. Likewise, the fruit of the Spirit we cultivate in a relationship with the triune God helps us deal with all humankind. These are indications of a personal being, not a force to manipulate for the benefit of gaining information from people or navigating life’s good and evils for righteous or nefarious ends. The third person of the Trinity is someone to know, love, and receive from, not an impersonal energy to use or master. 

Achieving balance with an energy field sounds like an exhausting amount of personal effort. Living in the presence of the Holy Spirit as a guide does require submission, but He does the work in our lives to make us more like Christ. It is not a work of our own doing, thus making it life-giving. 

Also, the Holy Spirit points to Christ alone. He speaks what He hears from God. He never points to Himself. Those filled with the Holy Spirit work as empowered by Him in a selfless, modest way, not pointing to one’s own filling or power but to the glory of God alone. A more mystical idea of who or what the Holy Spirit is can result in a self-focused and self-glorifying effort, puffing up one’s own ego or sense of spirituality.

Who or what are you leaning into this May the fourth? May you know the person and presence of the Spirit of the Lord!

Ashlie Miller and her family live in Concord, NC. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

By Ashlie Miller

My grandparents had a print of the painting Road to Emmaus by Robert Zünd hanging in their living room for as long as I can remember. You may be familiar with this painting, which I understand was a popular print in the 1960-70s. However, if you are not, it features two men walking alongside and listening to the risen Christ. The scene is idyllic – a forest with large trees, a small stone bridge over a brook, and the faint image of a village ahead in the distance. 

Religious art used to frighten me as a child – “Can He (God) see me?!”. I would steal glances at this particular painting and wonder about it. When I finally was old enough to understand its significance, the print became more of a treasure to ponder than something to fear. 

The story behind the scene Zünd captures is so beautiful: a risen Savior walking with disciples – not those disciples (Peter, James, and John) or even the other eleven. Rather, they are disciples we may otherwise know nothing about (see Luke 24 for context). What a Savior – to reach the lesser known. Don’t you love that He took his time with them while they were on a walk? We know they were leaving Jerusalem and headed towards Emmaus. Likely, they were leaving after the Passover and all that ensued that Holy Week. They had tarried long enough to hear reports from women regarding Jesus’ body missing, angels confirming Jesus had risen, and men double-checking to make sure these women weren’t crazy (because women were not considered reliable sources for testimony). Yet, that must not have convinced these two wandering disciples. They needed a divine encounter to fully grasp the Word given to them.

Why was Jesus walking away from Jerusalem towards this town? He appeared to have a mission – to make what the previous week was all about abundantly clear. All the words of the prophets they had read from Moses and beyond – every Scripture points to Himself. The Word in the flesh (Jesus) was revealing the Word (Scriptures) to them. No wonder their “hearts burned within” them, as they later remark. 

Jesus does not stop there, though. They long for more, and He meets more intimately with them, breaking bread until they finally recognize Who He is. Then, just like that – He disappears! These disciples are so excited that they are ready to make the trek back to Jerusalem to be with the other disciples within the hour! Seven miles. Based on current data, the average person walking at an easy pace walks a mile in 20 minutes, give or take. These disciples had already made the journey once that day. But this news prompted them to get back to join their brethren quickly!

What a kind and loving Savior to take the time to go down the road and even a little further to make certain all His disciples truly understood – not just those disciples. 

Going for a walk often helps clear my head. Often, I hope God will meet me in my thoughts, songs, or Scripture I am listening to, or even encouraging talks with my husband. Walking with the Savior will not look like that painting by Zünd, but it will surely be just as intimate and clear. Have you had a moment like this where God opens your eyes to see Scripture with more clarity? Insider tip – this begins to happen only when the Holy Spirit dwells within you, removing spiritual blinders from eyes and hearts.

By Ashlie Miller

Inevitably, when I cook a supper that emanates a fragrance throughout the house, someone finds their way into the kitchen to get a little taste before the meal. “What are we having?”, they ask while pots bubble or pans simmer. The answer is clear by the power of simple observation, but that question is an expression of hopefully being offered a little taste. Sometimes, though, manners are tossed aside, and hands snatch a sample. Like many other cooks, I will often taste before presenting a meal to ensure the seasonings are just so. I remember my mother having a little sample bowl and spoon handy, often consuming most of her meal before she sat down to a small serving with the rest of us.

You could call these samples a foretaste, though it’s not a word we often use today, except in some worship songs. Recently, our congregation sang two songs with that word: “Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine” and “What a foretaste of deliverance.”

I think about my children and husband getting a little taste of a meal I know they will love. The foretaste in no way satiates, but it does whet the appetite.

God does much the same for us on earth. What a kind God to offer us foretastes now on earth of a much greater appetite satisfied in eternity!

For His chosen people, the Israelites, though they went through times of exile, He promised to return them to their homeland. For Christians, as God’s chosen people in a new covenant, He promises an eternal land. 

As a child, I only thought that was heaven – which would be enough – but as I matured, I learned about the new earth, where God makes all things new. He will gloriously remake an Eden that was tarnished and destroyed.

When Jesus left heaven and came to earth as a human, some of His miracles revolved around raising people from the dead – a widow’s son, a 12-year-old girl, and Lazarus. In Lazarus’ case, he had been dead for days. “Lord, by now, he surely stinketh,” the Bible says. In all cases of those resurrections, they were temporary. Those people eventually died. However, I wonder if the resurrection of Lazarus from a tomb was a foretaste of Christ’s own resurrection, demonstrating to His disciples and the nonbelievers and critics that He had the power of death and the grave. 

Even Christ’s resurrection, which we celebrate this weekend, is a foretaste of the resurrection of the saints – those who put their trust in Jesus as Lord. The one who has the power of sin, death, and the grave surely has the power to raise His own children from eternal death and destruction for an everlasting life of dwelling with God in a beautiful land. 

Has God raised you from seemingly impossible depths? Do you have an inexplainable sense of homesickness for a more perfect place? Perhaps they are foretastes.

This Resurrection Sunday, whether you are gathered at church to celebrate Christ’s resurrection or at a stove, sampling the delicacies of a meal you will share with family, remember that it is all a foretaste of something greater. 

Ashlie Miller will celebrate the resurrection early Sunday morning as her husband, Chad leads the congregation of Mission Bible Church in Charlotte, NC. You may email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

By Ashlie Miller

Do you remember object lessons in school or, better yet, volunteering as a participant? What are some of your most memorable ones?

If you were to visit our home over the coming week, you would see us preparing for our family’s favorite object lesson and tradition –  a Christian observance of Passover Seder as we approach Resurrection Sunday (Easter). It is a tradition my family began enjoying when our older children were much younger, and many are celebrating this weekend through April 20. While we are not Jewish, a study on Biblical Feasts as part of our homeschool journey opened our eyes to the beauty of this celebration that we implement in our own way.

Growing up in the South, I knew the importance of Easter Sunday. However, we did not observe a traditional or liturgical Holy Week. So, as you can imagine, I always wondered why “The Ten Commandments” would air each year at that time. “Why aren’t they showing a film on the crucifixion instead?” I would ask.

It would be young adulthood before I realized the significance of the Passover, even for the Christian. The sacrifice of the Holy One Incarnate – Jesus Christ – epitomizes the importance of Passover for us. The Spotless Lamb who took our sin upon Himself. The one who set us free from the bondage of slavery to sin (and ourselves) and brings us into a land of hope and promise.

While many will have had their feast this weekend, we usually reserve our Passover remembrance for the Saturday before Resurrection Sunday. It is a time to invite other families or individuals to join us.

We will cover our table with a dark blue cloth divided by a white runner to symbolize the parting of the Red Sea as the children of Israel escaped from Egypt. Scattered across the table, you may see small drawings, Lego figures, or other small toys presenting the 10 plagues (I promise it will not look as graphic as it may sound!). We thoughtfully make our way through symbolic elements of a meal reminding us of the Passover. Rather than alluding only to the freedom and deliverance of the bondage of slavery in Egypt and the hope of an Elijah to come prepare the way for a Messiah, as Christians, we save a seat for the promised return of a Messiah who has already come.

We also included once-a-year treats like matzah ball soup, potato latkes (a favorite around here), and chocolate-covered matzah crackers. My local Publix and Harris Teeter take out the guesswork and hunt for recipes thanks to boxed varieties of soup and latkes.

Why do we focus on Passover during this time if we are not Jewish? Our senses of smell and taste serve our memories well. We long for our children, friends, and neighbors to experience the lesson of Jesus as Messiah and our Passover Sacrifice. With a few modifications, Passover Seder becomes pivotal to our experience for Resurrection (Easter) Sunday.

Can someone pass the latkes and chocolate matzah?

Ashlie Miller and her family celebrate this season with Passover Seder and delicious Resurrection Rolls. You can contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

By Ashlie Miller

What is on your honey-do list? In our area, keeping heat out or in, depending on the season, is usually on the checklist. Last year, on the honey-do list, my husband and sons worked on replacing the seal around our front door to better prevent drafts (and insects) from coming in. While it does seal very well, we must intentionally pull the door completely when shutting. Careless closing results in a door left ajar.

One morning in late fall, my son left for his welding class early. I was occupying my usual morning spot on the couch, enjoying some quiet time reading. Early as it was, I had no need to go towards that door, which is by the staircase leading to the children’s rooms, for about an hour. Once I did, however, I noticed a draft and light coming from the door. Eek! Thankfully, it was not standing wide open; no birds flew in. But it was an open door – one I assumed would be closed.

Later, I thought about how often we pass open doors in people’s lives. As a Christian, my eyes and heart should regularly think about open hearts for the gospel – that is, to be evangelistic. My husband often reminds the congregation at church to pray for God to open our eyes to such open doors and then to open our mouths to share. It is easy to assume that people who are currently closed to discussing the hope we have in Jesus will always be closed to such discussions. Sometimes they are. Sometimes, a heart is so hardened that its door is vaulted and sealed with a “no trespassing/no soliciting” sign on the door. Those are very sad and discouraging relationships. 

However, sometimes, doors that were once thought to be irrevocably closed become ajar, much like my front door. Often, a tragedy or deep sense of dismay cracks the door of a heart, allowing a little light to trickle in. While we may normally pass by a literal door like that and close it, assuming it is not an invitation for us to enter, doors ajar in hearts are another matter. A watchful eye may be gazing through the crack with a heart silently begging for someone to walk by and notice. We cautiously push the door slightly wider, beckoning them to join us or let us in. 

People, like nature, go through seasons regularly. What is true and steady in a person’s life in one month may vastly differ in three months. As one who can be shy to warm up to invitations, I have also learned that a firm no does not necessarily mean a final no. Growing up, I often waited on a sideline or against a wall to assess situations and people before jumping in. 

We will undoubtedly see such hearts come to church on Resurrection Day in a few weeks, along with many other “Chreasters” (those who only visit the church on Christmas and Easter). We can ignore them, say, “See you next holiday!” or engage them in a relationship. Ask them how life has been, and look into their eyes to see if there is a longing for something more. Has a door been left slightly opened?

Maybe seasons in life have you longing for something more; perhaps you have questions about that one thing you vowed you would never consider. You may not have intentionally left a door open, but could circumstances have been divinely aligned to bring you to another point in life? Are you willing to open that door wider to a relationship with the Creator and Savior?

By Ashlie Miller

If someone asked you the difference between idle time and leisure time, could you clearly articulate that? I recently read that idle time is stolen time. We should be doing other things during our productive times, but we allow temptations, even shallow, meaningless ones, to captivate our minds and bodies. You are often left feeling guilty as a result of wasting time. On the other hand, leisure time is earned, often after hard work. No guilt needed! Yet, how often do we struggle to fully enjoy leisure?

While we may know the differences and struggle to avoid idleness, we can also be guilty of enjoying leisure time. Productivity and efficiency are the monarchs ruling our time, most often. Accomplishing a task can consume the best of caregivers, and allowing children to enjoy discoveries frequently turns into an organized time of study and lessons. I can be as guilty as the next, especially as a homeschooling mother. 

In our quest to find our purpose and higher meaning (which oftentimes only means getting our never-ending task list done), we often miss the simplicity of basking in the daily delights we rush past to be more productive. Gardening becomes a chore of necessity rather than something to enjoy. Instead of choosing fiction to read, we feel our reading time must be an investment to master doing something.

Rather than further elaborate, I offer a few stanzas from a poem that served as a good reminder in the midst of teaching my children:

“Leisure”                                                                                                                          by W. H. Davies

What is this life if, full of care,
 We have no time to stand and stare?—

No time to see, in broad daylight,
 Streams full of stars, like skies at night:

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
 And watch her feet, how they can dance:

A poor life this if, full of care,
 We have no time to stand and stare.

I hope you get to enjoy some well-earned leisure time. Did you work hard all week, even if something is unfinished and will still be there next week? Then, make time to enjoy a guilt-free walk after dinner. Do you feel bad for time misspent? Tighten up the reigns on the time you steal this week. Lock yourself out of that app that is a thief to your productivity. Work hard and enjoy guilt-free leisure next weekend. 

Ashlie Miller is preaching to herself on this one. You can send her your own admonishments on how to enjoy guilt-free leisure to mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

By Ashlie Miller

Sometimes, the daily memories feature on Facebook catches me off guard. Does that ever happen to you? You post something of great importance, worthy of sharing with the world, or at least your “friends,” and when it pops up later as a memory, you say, “Oh yeah, I forgot all about when my cat did that, or I had that burger at that one place.”

Sunday morning, I was surprised when I noticed my memory feed featured a video I had shared a few years ago. A video of me. I am not an influencer nor share home videos, but something happened five years ago on that day that made me stop. Made me want to share something encouraging and hopeful. By now, if you rewind the tape in your own mind, you are having that “a-ha!” moment of March 16, 2020 – the day the world shut down. I was not fearful, but I knew many families would be distressed over being at home for two weeks (well, that is what they told us, anyway); I longed to encourage them and share helpful tools to thrive while surviving.

You may have that date etched in your mind for all eternity. But, for a moment, it took me a second to reconcile that it has been five full years since that fateful day. 

A lot has happened since half a decade ago in my life, your life, and our world. But we made it. We may have suffered great loss. I would have to sit and think long and hard to find anyone who has not in the last few years. Some have significantly suffered physically, emotionally, and financially, to say the least. But we made it.

When all my children were much younger, I can remember it took a herculean effort to get them all ready and out the door to arrive someplace on time with smiles on our faces. When someone at church would say, “You made it!”, I would often jokingly quote the end of Acts 27:44 – “some swam and the rest on planks or pieces of the ship!” It is not my life verse, but I pulled a lot of life from it. 

This verse comes from a gripping account of Paul surviving one of the few shipwrecks he endured. Paul is on a ship set for Rome along with other prisoners and a centurion. A few chapters before, in Acts 23, God had told Paul that part of his purpose was to spread the gospel to the Jews and then the Gentiles in Rome, specifically. But, the course to that end was not smooth sailing or even to make it to safe harbor. What a sail that was! On this voyage, there was much reason to fear as a south wind violently blew the ship into a raging storm!

But Paul remembered the words of the Lord to him, that he must stand before Caesar. Paul was certain of God’s word, so Paul told the men to “take heart, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island” (verses 25-26). At least he was both certain and honest about the reality of the matter. 

A fortnight after embarking, Paul encouraged the shipmates in peril to take sustenance and give thanks to God. They lightened the ship and braced for the worst. After striking a reef and running aground, and prisoners avoiding being killed by the soldiers (thanks to Paul), they were ordered to jump in and swim or find something to float on. Amazingly, they all arrived safely, even if “the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship” (verse 44).  But they made it. 

As a mom of small children, I have often felt that I have barely made it or made it on “pieces of the ship.” It is not smooth sailing all the time, is it? 

We may feel entitled to complain. We may have endured struggles that have changed us in the last five years – wrecked us, even. But, we are here. We can offer gratitude and worship, complain and feel discontent, or be driven to ask the great question – “Why?”. Where have the last five years left you?

Ashlie Miller and her family live in Concord, NC. You may contact her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com.

By Ashlie Miller

Fasting is a term many people are familiar with because it does not always necessitate a religious observance. Intermittent fasting has become a health choice for many. You can fast from certain meals or specific ingredients like sugar or foods like carbs. Cutting out media is often the choice for a mental or emotional fast. 

We are now in the season of Lent, where many do without a vice for 40 days and hopefully commit to prayer to prepare themselves for Easter.

There are many scripture passages Christians consider when fasting. We see Moses fast for 40 days before receiving the 10 Commandments. There is the fast Queen Esther held before approaching King Ahasuerus. Many Christians do a prolonged Daniel Fast, eating only fruits and vegetables. Even Jesus fasted for 40 days in the wilderness, enduring temptation from Satan. Jesus also gives guidelines for one’s appearance during a fast (Matthew 6:16-18). Sometimes, as Christians, the goal of fasting can be to have what many call a spiritual breakthrough or pray for specific end results. Perhaps God might act favorably upon one’s request in exchange for denying one’s desires. 

One chapter worth reading on true and false fasting is Isaiah 58. God’s chosen people thought they could pull one over on Him, pretending to worship the Lord and serve Him with delight in hopes of returned favor, but God could see through to their hearts (not that their actions left much to hide). They were guilty of oppressing their own people, for starters, and many more gross atrocities you can study in the Old Testament. They dare to question why God does not seem to hear and respond to them during their fast. 

God explains the type of fast He chooses to see – “loosening bonds of wickedness, letting the oppressed free, sharing bread, clothing the homeless, pouring out oneself for the hungry, satisfying the desire of the afflicted” (Isaiah 58). He promised His people to be their guide and strength during a proper fast and that they would flourish and be called repairers and restorers of their place as a light shining among the nations. 

It’s as though the evidence of self-denial isn’t in an altar show of worship but in sharing among the people, their own people, whom they were overlooking and mistreating horribly. Could it be that pure self-denial is not just doing without for one’s own sake but to bless someone else? I can easily do without cheesecake and deny myself the temptation most of the year. If someone made me a homemade, decadent cheesecake and, as an act of will, I put it in the fridge for a few days and waited, I would justify myself with a reward at the end of the week. But, the real test would be complete self-denial – giving that cheesecake to someone else and maybe even watching them enjoying it. (Don’t get any ideas!)

How does that translate to self-denial in periods of fasting? Would it look like investing your time into prepping a meal for someone else as you pray over their family? Could it be ignoring the distraction at your fingertips to sit quietly on the porch, lifting prayers for your neighbors? Can one prayerfully purge gently worn or excess clothing to donate to the local women and children’s ministry? When hangry pangs come – could one conquer oneself by extending grace, mercy, and hospitality to those trying patience during a fasting period?

While I cannot answer those questions for you, it appears God told His people that the evidence of pure self-denial and worship that pleased Him meant sharing. How could you share during your next period of fasting?

Ashlie Miller does indeed love a good cheesecake but would question whether giving it to a frenemy during a fast was a word from God or just a frenemy. You can email her at mrs.ashliemiller@gmail.com with your thoughts.