Empowerment

 

Empowerment

 

     Visions of pizza; thick, juicy hamburgers; tacos; bagels; pancakes; and ice cream have danced in my head for the past two weeks.  Why?

            I’m not sure.  I suspect the stress/depression/isolation of COVID-19 and the derecho damage to the community may have something to do with it.  I’m seeking comfort from the pain of living right now. 

            For many years, food was my drug of choice to escape pain and not just a little bit of food; I ate until my stomach hurt; until I hated myself, but the pain was gone—while I binged.  Will I ever forget the evening I ate a pound of whole wheat fig newtons and spent the whole night in the bathroom?

            Although I haven’t binged, in that way, for a long time, the beast of compulsive overeating lies quietly within me, waiting to roar, and it has the past couple of weeks.  How have I dealt with it?  I’ve white knuckled it.

            Silly me.  Finally, a couple of days ago, I realized, there’s an easier way—prayer.  Why do we forget God’s constant presence, constant love in our lives?  I suppose because we’re human.  But the Holy Spirit spoke to me, reminding me, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:13, LBT).

            The craving for carbs may stalk me for a while, especially during this difficult time, but I don’t have to struggle with it on my own.  Isn’t that the answer to all our struggles—take them to the Lord and trust the Holy One, who loves us, to empower us?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Sharon Witty

Strength and Refreshing

September brings the beginning of the fall fruits. Some apples and grapes will be ready, others in October. I remember my mother pampering her Concord grapes in September. She worked hard to protect them from the birds and other varmints that would steal her fruit. 

I still think of apples and raisins as good-for-you foods, even though raisins are high in calories and carbs. It’s true raisins aren’t as healthy as their fresh version of grapes.

 

Fresh apples are a healthy fruit for snacking, rich in fiber. Unfortunately, I dream of all the wonderful desserts that can be made with apples: pies, crisps, cobbler and more. They aren’t so good for me, but they sure make me smile.

 

Enjoy the harvest bounty but be careful with the baked goods; I’ll try to stick to the fresh fruits full of flavor.

 

“Strengthen me with raisins

Refresh me with apples,” (Song of Songs 2:5 NIV).

 

By Gloria D. Stewart

 

Disorder

 

Disorder

 

           

Good morning, Reader.  This is the fourth Thursday of the month.  Gloria forgot to post on the first Thursday of this month, and I forgot to post on the third Thursday of this month.  I just can’t understand why we forgot.  Why did Gloria allow a little thing like flying to Virginia with two granddaughters to visit her son and his family in Virginia cause her to forget to post her entry?  And why did I allow a minor event like a derecho to take my mind off posting to our blog?

Ah, yes, the derecho.  We are in the midst of enduring? surviving? Covid 19, the derecho and the bumps and challenges of our own personal lives.  How many persons have you heard say “2021 can’t come soon enough for me”?  How do we do it?  How do we survive during this time?  How do we live?  These have been my thoughts of late.

I have been fortunate; I know it; I recognize it, and I am grateful.  The building in which I live escaped the derecho with minor damage, and we had electricity within 32 hours (that I suspect was due to the grid in which we are located).  Yet I care about my community and recognize the suffering of others, so I take time to be grateful, to do what I am able to do for others and to pray—a lot.

Grateful.  Hm, I am grateful to be able to brew my cup of coffee, to be able to cook.  I am grateful I have food to cook and stores with stocked shelves in which I can buy more food when I need to.  I am grateful I have an intact roof over my head.  Actually, I am grateful I have a home in which to live.  I am grateful I have water and a functioning toilet.

Yes, I am fortunate and I remind my self that someday order will follow this disorder in which we live right now.  In the meantime:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7, NIV)

Veggie Season

I love August. In most years August is the month of garden produce and harvest. I remember back to my days of having a garden. This was the time of year that all the planting, hoeing, and weeding paid off. I long for my garden. Ours currently consists of two potted tomato plants and a short row of green beans in a raised bed.

I loved the days of making a meal from the garden produce…fresh corn, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, green beans, onions, peas and new potatoes…a delightful table of goodness.

I could usually count on losing a few pounds in August when meals were fresh and gorgeous. Vegetables are healthy eating and can fill the stomach, too. Try if you can to take advantage of the fresh vegetables and be healthy and diet-wise. God only creates good things to enjoy.

“8 Now the Lord had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it,” (Genesis 2:8, 15 NIV).

By Gloria D. Stewart

I Scream, You Scream. . .

I Scream, You Scream . . .

Last week four of us friends, one from Fort Dodge, two from State Center and one from Marshalltown, made picnic lunches for ourselves and met halfway at a Story City park.  We set up lawn chairs six feet apart and visited for three hours.  Catching up with these friends during this difficult time was blessing.

            NOTE:  I said we “made picnic lunches.”  During this pandemic time, because I don’t trust the safety of restaurants, I have chosen not to dine out.  Two of the others have made the same choice.

            But I am SO TIRED of cooking, and I sit on the pity pot every once in a while.  During those times “visions of ice cream often dance in my head.”  Ice cream would comfort me I’m sure.

            They began dancing as I started to leave Story City and dreaded having to make supper.  Suddenly, my car propelled itself through McDonald’s drive thru, and an ice cream cone appeared in my hand.        I ate the whole thing—and was nauseous for three hours.  Why?  I suspect  I was too hot and ate too fast..

            As I thought about my actions, God reminded me I need to listen to my body, which the Holy One has created.  I thought of Gwen Shamblin’s wise words in Weigh Down.  God has given my body a thermostat which guides me in when to eat, what to eat and how much to eat.  All I have to do is listen and follow through.

On that day, however, I chose to ignore my body when it said, ‘This is not a good idea.’

            In my reflecting, I am also reminded that God always loves me, regardless of a poor choice I may make in a split second.

. . .nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Rom 8:39b NLT)

                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                    Sharon Witty

Accountability

It seems I’ve been working on my weight forever. I have lost the same 10 pounds about 20 times and gained it back nearly every time.

One help I’ve found is an accountability partner. Mine is my husband. We are working at losing weight and getting healthier together and it is working. First he encouraged me to throw away all my ‘treats’…the hidden goodies that I turn to when no one is looking. That was a huge step in the right direction.

We have been eating salads for lunch and dinner and it is paying off on the scale. We also exercise together, taking hour-long walks at a challenging pace every day. I come home soaked with sweat in this heat and humidity.

It is easier to do something hard with a friend. If you need a boost in your health improvement plan, ask a friend to join you in an accountability partnership and see if that helps you make right choices. If you don’t feel comfortable asking anyone to be your accountability partner, be your own, with God. Get rid of everything unhealthy in the house that tempts you and take refuge in God. With each bite you take remember that the Lord is good. You will be blessed when you take refuge in God.

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8 NIV)

By Gloria D. Stewart

Presence

Presence           

I need to realize, know, accept, and allow God’s to be the center of my life.  I need to realize, know, accept and rejoice in God’s love for me (Rom. 8:38-39).

            When I am lonely, wanting the companionship of another, God is present and loving me.

            When I am angry that my neighbor’s dog barks and barks and barks, God is present and loving me, my neighbor, and her dog.

            When I am afraid because I’ve misplaced my credit card, God is present, loving and guiding me.

            God never leaves me.  The Creator is always with me, within me (Gal. 2:20).

            The comprehension/understanding of this truth is difficult, for I consist of flesh, blood and bones.  I exist in a world of rational, thinking humans, and it’s hard to understand a Spirit without flesh, blood and bones, who is constantly present, who I can’t see or hear, who loves me, and cares for me.  I doubt I ever will fully understand.  It is a mystery to accept--the Lover of my Soul is always present.

            And in those times of loneliness, anger, fear sorrow. . ., this Lover is the One who can comfort and calm me.  Food cannot do that.

            So may I “Be still and know (Pslm. 46:10)” that God is present—always.

                                                                                                                                    Sharon Witty

                                                                                                                                    June 18,2020