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Moving at the Lord’s pace

Tales from the front pew

Have you ever had a light bulb moment? You know, when something becomes so incredibly clear you find yourself scratching your head and wondering why you didn’t think of it before?

This happened to me a few weeks ago, with a little help from my doctor.

Initially, hearing that my eating habits required some major revisions sent me into a mini depression. The problem is simple; I like eating. I’ve always liked eating. I like eating so much, in fact, that it has always provided a sort of gustatory soundtrack to all the important events in life.

Sure, Thanksgiving’s a no-brainer, but what about the other holidays?

Before I became a Christian, Christmas meant trays of homemade cookies and candies, nut rolls made with cream cheese dough and syrup, pies galore and calorie-laden eggnog and soft drinks.

Birthdays meant luscious chocolate cakes with chocolate chips and chocolate frosting topped with chocolate shavings — as you’ve probably surmised, I kinda like chocolate.

Easter, again to my pre-Christian self, meant brightly decorated beribboned baskets filled with jellybeans, marshmallow peeps, and (you guessed it) chocolate bunnies.

Even something as un-celebratory as Saturday night meant sitting in front of the TV munching on potato chips and dip.

Yep, big fan of food, here.

That being said, my lightbulb moment occurred when I realized that, no matter how much I enjoy eating, too much of it is harmful to me.

Overeating impacts and compromises my health, my ability to take part in certain activities and my self-esteem. Taken to the extreme, it could kill me.

And so, I am sincerely biting the bullet — one of the few things I’m allowed to eat — and making major dietary changes.

Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t easy and it sure isn’t pleasant.

A few weeks ago I shared with my readers that I was getting a little cranky due to dieting. Well, I can say with absolute certainty that I am no longer a little cranky; I’m a “lot” cranky.

So cranky, in fact, that when I was complaining to my daughter, Val, about being out of low-fat cottage cheese she said, “Well, it’s a pretty nice day out, Mom. Why don’t you jump on your broom and go get some?” (I’ll never know where she got that smart mouth from).

My poor husband, Bob, is faring no better.

The other day as he was on his second helping of dinner, I looked at him critically. “Do you really need that?” I asked him.

“Yes,” he smiled. “I really do. It makes me happy. Not much else has been lately.”

Okay. I get it. Time to jump off the low-cal soap box before I find myself alone with our four cats.

A few days ago, I had another “light bulb” moment. Sometimes Christians act like I’ve been — not regarding food, but their relationship with the Lord.

Do you ever find yourself feeling hyper-critical or even superior to folks who aren’t quite where you are in your walk with Jesus?

Think again.

The Lord moves each of us along at our own pace. Leave it in His hands.

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