February 1, 2013 - God Feeds The Sparrows

I apologize this is late, I got side-tracked reading in preparation for my trip to Thailand at the end of this month. I was moved to tears as every chapter of For Their Tears I Died details the lives that children suffer who are trapped in human trafficking. After reading one of the chapters and re-reading the lead scripture from Isaiah 61 - I was gripped and said to the Lord, "I am honored that you would send me to smile and touch these children. Help me, God, to prepare my heart to see as you see and love as you love." WOW! I must confess, though, I have been "worried" about several things - one of which is what to eat and how to prepare for meals in a country that I have never visited. But after reading this morning of the food journeys of these children, I felt horrible for even entertaining that. Now.......you know I stand on the pillar of "be prepared," but there are times when preparation cannot over ride the mission to which God has called us. I know that food is our fuel, but it can also be our passion. And then we get out of balance. I remember the days when I used to plan two days of meals at a time and get everything lined up so "I wouldn't miss a meal, as that would only cause me to go into "starvation mode" which was bad for my body. " REALLY??? NO - food was my PASSION and I simply fueled that passion with a lie. Being honest here. Let us remember to have foods prepared and ready so we are not being scavengers and falling prey to the peanut butter. YES! But, our thoughts and passion cannot be food. What a distraction that was for me for YEARS! Now, I plan for the week, cook for the week, have my food ready and DON'T spend time worrying about meals. It's such a FREEDOM pocket! Whatever is in the refrigerator is getting cooked and when it runs out, I'll go to the store again. God's word instructs us NOT to worry - it doesn't say DON'T PLAN - just don't worry. BIG difference! God clothes and feeds the lilies and the birds - it brings him PLEASURE to take care of us. So today, plan and get things ready, and then let go of the stress and worry of "doing it right, finding the right combination, eating enough fruit." Do the math, get the right quantities, eat the right portions, and ENJOY your life and family more. That concept is so freeing to me. How about you? Gotta run - working on my book today. Hoping to have it to the publisher for the first scoring before I leave for Thailand. Whew! Lovin you BIG - PK