Just a short pick-me-up for you who are also changing what you eat and use in your home.
Years ago I watched a Christian tv program about a woman who, two years earlier, was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. They showed her shopping in the health food aisle, replaying the thoughts she'd had months after her doctor recommended she totally overhaul her diet. Here were some of those thoughts:
"It's not fair that I have to give-up my favorite foods."
"It's like learning how to cook all over again."
"All these organic, whole foods are more expensive."
"I feel like I'm the only person eating this way."
And then she shared what she heard God tell her after she'd whined like that:
"Oh, I feel so sorry for you. You have to eat these wholesome, organic foods and now you're feeling a hundred times better. You're learning about nutrition, you no longer feel exhausted all the time, and you look like a new, vitalized person. Yes, you poor, poor thing."
She got the point. She quit complaining.
And years later, I still recall her story, especially while I'm standing in the quiet health food aisle, the one which usually gives me that lonely, ghost town feeling. (Insert the ol', "Hello? Hello? Hello?" echo here.)
And each time, I am encouraged. I hope you'll be encouraged, also.
******
Ouch. This was a little too much truth for me I think. ;)
ReplyDeleteWe went on our first family vacation with our daughter who is on a very strict diet that requires a lot of foods that you can't just run in and grab along the way. It requires a lot of planning and forethought. There aren't a lot of health food stores (or aisles) in vacation-land. As we passed by a gathering of families sitting around eating fries and chicken nuggets, I began to feel very sorry for me and all the hard work I had to do and all that we couldn't "just do" like regular families on vacation.
Poor me. (insert eyes rolling)
I have a healthy, vibrant daughter now with this diet and I'm whining about all the work and restrictions. So pathetic.
Thanks for some gentle words of reproof and encouragement. :)
Me three!
ReplyDeleteSilly, lazy, whiney me.
Bravo! Thank-you for this post Debra. It is lonely in the Organic/health food section of my local grocery store too but I love learning about it. I'm studying to be a holistic nutritionist (which God COMPLETELY ordained) which has given me new eyes to see, to say the least.
ReplyDeleteOrganic is expensive but I don't think it will always be. We have to keep supporting the farmers who to do this great service to mankind and the earth, it will eventually attract new customers, thus bring the prices down.
Little by little...
what a blessed perspective...i needed the reminder to put my whiner away...thank you.
ReplyDeleteAs a teen I was into justice. My Mama once responded to my constant whining with "Life isn't fair!" It was like a smack in the face to me... but she was right of course.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I'm sure there is an organic food co-op in your area. You would not regret looking into it. You'll make new friends & get lots of tips on what tastes good, etc. Ours has a waiting list.