Sweets

I always claimed that I would not be the type of mother who allowed my children to have a lot of sweets. I have now decided that I would not be the type of mother who lets her children eat sweets all day long. Some days are better than others! I have a natural sweet tooth and I guess that gene has been passed along to my kids. I can't really blame them for craving sugar. It is really my fault. I grew up with dessert after every meal. I have heard of kids who crave carrots or who prefer a nice crisp apple to a cookie. I think it is a result of brainwashing. Just kidding, I think I am just jealous!

We have tried to put a healthy spin on treats around here. I buy whole grain cookies and applesauce with no sugar. Unfortunately my kids just don't like the taste. I buy plain old cheerios and end up adding more sugar than if I just let my kids buy chocolate covered cocoa crunch. Which, by the way, I think their grandpa would like for breakfast! I would love it if my kids would enjoy carob chip cookies. However, I can't even stomach carob unless I give myself a half hour pep talk about the benefits of carob and how much better it is for me. Carob, if you have not tried it, is nothing even remotely similar to chocolate. Looks are deceiving. I understand that both cocoa and carob come from beans. But these beans are definitely not from the same tree. I don't think the trees are even in the same forest. Carob has a very distinct flavor and texture. It is said, though, that carob helps ease bacterial diarrhea. You definitely can't say that about chocolate. (ha ha) I bet treats don't sound so great now, do they?

I have found that, like anything else, introducing healthier options to my kids isn't something that causes an instant change in their behavior. I have to keep offering healthier choices. I have also found balance in this. Sometimes a crispy cream doughnut with a glass of milk is a perfectly acceptable dinner. Some of you moms might disagree, but in our house sometimes easy is the way to go. This philosophy stops at the dinner table, though.

I have been so challenged in the last couple weeks and days that 'eating fluff' spiritually really just won't cut it. Opening God's word and reading it like I was reading my kids their bedtime story won't satisfy my appetite for spiritual things. Eating well is difficult at times. During those times, if we give up and start eating what ever we want whenever we want we will feel sluggish and irritable. You can probably guess the implications here. I have grown tired of living on sweets. God has been challenging me to truly seek Him; to stop trying to add sugar to His word to make it easier to take. Somtimes we just need to grow up and swallow the tough stuff. I read Psalm 22:26 this morning and it reads like this in the amplified, "The poor and afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; they shall praise the Lord- they who [diligently] seek for, inquire of and for Him, and require Him [as their greatest need]. May your hearts be quickened now and forever!" Can I say will full assurance that I am diligently seeking Him in my minutes of devotion? Is He my greatest need? The issue here is not the quantity of time we spend, but the quality. I am so thankful that God looks at our hearts. Don't fall into the trap of comparing your quiet time with someone else's. God wants us to focus our attention on Him. Are we feeling satisfied when we come away from our devotions?

I was feeling challenged too about having the mind of Christ. I can't share His thoughts if I am not in constant contact with Him. Oh Lord, forgive my for my spiritual apathy. Forgive me for being lazy and lukewarm. I know that if I am not on top of it spiritually that I lay myself open for the enemy to penetrate. Help me Lord. Help me to reprioritize. Help me to crave meat and not be content with milk. Reinvigorated me Lord. I am desperate for you. I need more of you. Help me not to settle, Lord.

I once heard a pastor preach that if you are not "growing daily you are dying gradually." My daughter sings a cute song that goes like this, "Read your bible and pray everyday and you grow, grow, grow. Don't read your bible and pray everyday then you shrink, shrink shrink." I want to model this for my children. I long to see them delve into God's word and get into His presence with vigor. Not for me, not out of obligation but out of a desperate love for a personal savior. My prayer for them as well as for me is that I would eat for the marathon and not for the 100 yard dash. If I am going to make it, I need the sustenance.