18 November, 2012

Enough Is Enough!

Psalm 16

With the holidays approaching, many of us will be tempted to overeat. Extra calories surround us in the form of second helpings, elegant desserts, and special one-time-a-year treats.  Nutritionists tell us that instead of denying ourselves, we should focus on limiting the amount we consume. Portion control is essential for a healthy diet.

Why do we want so much more than we need?  God supplied the Israelites with manna and quail in the wilderness. They had enough, but they didn't trust that God would continue to provide for them. When they tried to keep food for the next day, it spoiled. God taught them a lesson in portion control: take and eat only what you need. That's a lesson we need to learn, not just for food but for all kinds of stuff. Today we live in a culture where there's actually a hit television show about hoarding!

Perhaps our problem is not just with portion size, but with the whole idea of control.  We want to control our lives and our futures, but what God wants to give us is so much better than what we can provide for ourselves. Can we, like the psalmist, be satisfied with what God gives?

Thank you, generous God, for feeding us with the gift of yourself, through Christ. Amen.*

*From: Christ In Our Home, devotional for Friday, November 16.
by: Kathryn Kleinhans, Professor of Religion at Wartburg College; Waverly, IA

Life is Good!



14 comments:

Carol said...

WONDERFUL!

regan said...

Glutony and greed run rampant this time of year.....so opposite what the season is all about. I've just never understood that.

And thanks for putting on your sidebar the pic of your two grands hand in hand.....that's the sweetest thing, and makes me happy each time I see it!

Pat said...

Good words to think on and put into practice. Can I get an exception for my stash? please?

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

Thank you for this today.

Kathy said...

You can never have too much food for thought. Thanks .

Little Penpen said...

Love this!

Janet O. said...

Very appropriate.

Helen said...

So true, so true. Now to "let go and let God".

I'm going to post a reminder of this on my fridge.

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

I have recently lost 35 pounds, easily since I started eating healthy and cutting down and not indulging every day. I recently had a chocolate bar, because I do believe we should rewards ourselves every once in a while and it was the best chocolate bar ever. I agree we need to show more control especially this time of the year. There is so much need and too much greed. Thank you for sharing this1

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

Excellent reminder ... and excellent timing - although I need to be reminded of this regularly as I like being in control too much. I think that letting God be in control is a lesson I'll be learning all my life. ;-)

jude's page said...

All so true, and I struggle always with letting God be in control. I am about to actually put this into action, trusting for God's provision in the time ahead, as I will be having surgery tomorrow and taking time out from work, with no income coming in, scary stuff!!

Carrie P. said...

thanks for that word from the Lord.

Anonymous said...

Too true! My husband and I were having that conversation today! Stuff, more stuff, then stuff to put more stuff in!!! Does it ever end??!!

Nane said...

The thing I like about cooking Thanksgiving is that after I make it all I don't have the same appetite as when someone else cooks!