January 29, 2013 - Bloopers

I love watching the end of some movies or the bloopers posted from certain shows. They are raw and uncut. It's good, to me, to really see the nature and actual person of the character I have been watching. Most of the movie/video/show displays controlled and practiced segments - some that have been filmed and re-filmed up to one hundred times for a 30 second segment. WOW. Several insights: 1) perfection takes time and energy and 2) life happens. AMEN! REAL LIFE REALLY HAPPENS and it doesn't matter how long I walk this health journey, I still have times when my OTHER LIFE wants to manifest. So how about I'm sitting at a nice lunch with a group of people on Sunday and the hostess has prepared a meal with several things which allow me to eat. (now, I went prepared just in case, but she knows me and planned a couple of things for me - GREAT!) Then she announces, "however, I have no sugar free dessert." I smile - it's okay, I brought an apple. That's the movie version - all smiles and beautiful response. No worries. Then the blooper - she starts stirring a big bowl of brownies with Gherideli chocolates and pecan pieces and then I really smile. "You're not bothered by all this, right?" She asks. "NO, no.........never," I respond. Blooper....I could imagine myself licking that bowl, her finger, and the spoon. Sound familiar? But the amazing part of this story is that I REALLY know, I cannot. I would love to say, "aww, I never want it again." That would be lying. When those brownies came out and were served hot with chocolate chip ice-cream to everyone at the table but me another blooper was going on in my head, but a smile eked from my face. I remembered the apple in the car and finally settled back to enjoy my coffee and stuff napkins up my nose so I could pass the plates without licking each one. BLOOPER......right? But that's the real me. I did get to the car, eat my apple and feel such a since of relief that again God had helped me face a REAL issue and REAL feelings with REAL strength. I hear from many of you who feel you are not really strong enough to live a life of discipline. None of us are perfect at this - but Jesus is. He came to give us freedom from these temptations and he knows them as well as we do. So while I was rolling a blooper in my mind, the crowd was watching the film. And the ending turned out great in spite of the blooper I was "viewing." Just keeping it real. So how about you? Any bloopers lately? It's okay - remember we are walking this journey together! I had to endure 30 minutes of watching everyone eat those brownies and giggle, but it saved me from 24 hours of guilt and shame. WHEW! And let me tell you - that self-loathing and long mirror talks I used to have were a BLOOPER TO BEHOLD. Love you guys and praying for continued strength from the one who loves us More Than Life. PK