May 16, 2013 - Chili Cheese Fries

I am sitting outside this morning, not drinking my coffee (as I am preparing for my annual physical and am having to fast), and trying to console myself. I told my husband, that morning coffee is my joy. I have one of those coffee makers that grinds the beans fresh daily and fills my house with one of the aromas from Heaven. I simply love that morning routine. But as I am being denied the pleasure of coffee before blood work, I am preparing a bodacious cup to tuck in my purse for the end of the stick. What's really bad is that someone is actually going to stick me without my morning coffee. That's serious. I leave for Nashville in the morning to do a photo shoot for the launch of Freedom Connection Ministries and my devotional cookbook. As I was placing outfits in groups and sending photo options in preparation, I actually stopped to consider the reality of the experience. My husband asked if I was nervous...absolutely. New chapters in our lives can be both exciting and nerve wracking. I'm just a simple girl, but I am always available to God. And sometimes God doesn't do things as simply as I would. You know that's true. :) It's like french fries. I have loved french fries my entire life (except I haven't eaten them in over two years), but what happened to the simplicity of FRIES? It's not just fries any longer, it's seasoned fries with chili, cheese, and jalapeños. It's fries with BBQ sauce and Vidallia onions. It's salt and pepper fries, cajan fries, and new for me, Italian fries. I get that change is good and often necessary, but sometimes just the plain fries were all I needed. (well, salt and ketchup if I'm being honest) The last time I was with someone who ordered chili cheese fries, I flipped out. The poor little fries were soggy and unable to maintain their shape while the people at my table were making sounds I thought were illegal at dinner. All of this reminded me that sometimes we can take simple things and make them so complicated. Being healthy is not complicated. Simple changes, simple foods, plain water, lots of color, and a determination to live. Sometimes we must return to the simple truth that being unhealthy may look and feel good for a season, but all seasons end. The only challenge to that statement is in my relationship with God, my family, and my desire to be healthy. I am fighting for all of those for the remainder of my life. Those seasons will never end. Consider the things in your life that you are unwilling to have end and really fight for them. Are the chili cheese fries worth the fight? PK