beWARM

Fritos and red licorice, with a cigarette on the side…

Believe it or not, this was the sum total of lunch during my teaching days, when I was twenty-something…and oblivious.

Thankfully, I swore off nicotine more than three decades ago, and have become an advocate of health-supportive eating – and living.

My indiscretions with bags of potato chips have become rare occurrences, and bingeing on Red Hot Dollars has ceased to exist.

Let’s face it…we all love to eat – and the details of what, where, and when, related to our meals, have become a central focus in our lives.

Most of us are aware of the culinary culprits we should avoid – high-fructose corn syrup, sodas, processed foods, canola oil, white flour, sugar…and the list goes on.

Fad diets come and go, and it seems that everyone wants or needs to be “free of” something, whether it be gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, preservatives – and whatever else is deemed detrimental to our long-term health.

(I am in no way disavowing the value of eliminating gluten, dairy et al, as I have seen the benefits of doing that among friends who have food sensitivities.)

Being more conscious of what we are putting into our bodies has wonderful, lasting benefits, to be sure – and who doesn’t enjoy fresh, healthy and delicious food?

Thinking about our obsession with food made me wonder what could happen if we spent the same amount of time determining what we should ingest for our spiritual well-being.

Hmmmm……

How about this recipe…

• Start each day with a refreshing infusion, spending quiet time with God.
  

  Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. ~Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)

• Add some inspirational thoughts to your day so that your awareness of God’s presence is heightened.
  

  People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. ~Matthew 4:4

• Put your heart on a “toxin-free” diet, removing those feelings or attitudes that are preventing you from living life with joy.
  

   I will walk about in freedom,  for I have sought out your precepts. ~Psalm 119:45

• Feast on the Love that is free of impurities, filled with renewable resources, and that has never been modified; nothing exists that will ever destroy it.

You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat. ~Matthew 5:6, MSG

So, dear friends, dish yourself up some food for the soul…

And enjoy the nourishing, everlasting benefits.

You can never overindulge…

 This post was written as a devotional for the inaugural gathering of the YumYum Sisterhood in Santa Fe.