Me, Myself, and Food! It's not Pretty.

This post is a continuation of a series on the book Seven, a Mutiny against excess, by Jen Hatmaker. If this seems confusing you may want to start with some of my previous posts starting HERE.

The not so pretty side of me, myself, and… FOOD!

I am being absolutely honest when I tell you that I actually love being on this fast, but I did have my moments where I missed certain snack foods. I had days when I forgot to make up some food ahead of time and found myself in a pickle.

I had weak instances where I was spreading a certain chocolate hazelnut spread on my kids’ bread for a special treat and I longingly looked at the lovely chocolaty goo and bread and thought, “Oh how wonderful you are! I miss you so.” 

Or  perhaps the time I was with someone who was eating some lovely french fries and my mouth started watering for the salty crispy crunch to be mine all mine, but the truth is... I really feel better not eating them.

I have caught myself many a time trying to rationalize why I can buy myself a pumpkin spice latte from “Four bucks”.  (This is a very apt name my awesome sisters-in-law came up with.) 

Sadly, I get a wee bit too excited for this little cup of pumpkin spiced joe. It is the kick-off celebration for my favorite season of fall. Which became especially "rough", (I use that word loosely since we are only talking about coffee, dear drama queen.) the moment my sweet hubby called on his way home offering to pick one of those pumpkin lattes up for me since I was having a really bad day.

I practically wept while telling him no, and reminding him of this fast I was on. I was simultaneously grateful for such a sweet man, frustrated at having to turn something so sweet down, and hoping he would offer this another day when not on said crazy fast. (Don’t judge people, it was a very bad day and I was operating on too little sleep.)

One of my cute pumpkins holding a pumpkin! ;) She is so much better than a silly cup of coffee.

 Or how I think to myself in a panic, what if I miss all my chances to eat a sugary spicy cider doughnut from our favorite orchard. (Why!? Oh Why did I agree to start this fast in the fall?) It’s one of my favorite seasons for the food! I am surprised by my blatant issues with rationalizing my food habits by emotional whims or the, “But it’s tradition to eat this right now!” mentality.

The lessons learned that rid myself of me, 

and focused it on The One

                                 and the ones He calls me to LOVE.   

       

I have discovered some new ways to cook some meals. (Like Pasta-less Lasagna, which my whole family proclaimed as delicious!) I am astonished (Le gasp!) that I do not need to eat bread or pasta as much as I thought I did. 

I have once again come to the realization that when I do something unto the Lord He can give me the strength to do it where I normally would fail. My sweet Heavenly Father has taught me way more about myself and my American mindset than I even expected.

The Lord has unearthed my shallow ways and I have found myself and my habits wanting. The wonder of it all is that even in the midst of my ever present weaknesses I discovered a wonderful Lord who still loves me more than I could ever dream. 

He has plans for me that are absolutely amazing and detailed. He takes care of me and asks that I would take care of others through my families’ insane abundance. 

Jesus has offered me a love song for His people. It has cracked wide my bleeding heart this last month. The veil before my eyes is falling away and His light is revealing those who are crying out for help, healing, and for love. I know just the One who can provide those very things in abundance and I need to be sharing about Him through my heart, through my hands, and through my feet.

Remember? Love Does.

Do you see that lovely lady to the left? She was my buddy while we walked the streets of Pontiac in our group. She is 62 and recently experienced a stroke, yet she grabbed her walker and walked those streets sharing the love of Jesus. She is on a mission!

So last weekend this was how I celebrated the end of month one. I walked the streets of a nearby city with dear friends and family in Christ. We shared Christ’s love. We shared food. We shared gloves, hats, scarves, and invited them to a banquet being given in their honor the following weekend.

This will be a “Luke 14” kind of banquet, where they will be waited on hand and foot. People will supply them with winter coats, clothes, blankets, a delicious meal, entertainment, haircuts, and so much more. The part I love best? They will be showered with the sweet, sweet love of Jesus. How beautiful is that?

Matthew 22:37-40

 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”