Let’s talk about ice cream for a minute. I love it. So does my husband. Michael eats a bowl of ice cream almost every night. I used to. Nowadays I watch him eat his bowl of creamy delightful goodness – while I drink a tall glass of cool water. If I have any calories left I might indulge in a mini peppermint pattie.
Watching him eat his ice cream was really okay with me until last Friday night. Yes. That was when my beloved announced to me, while digging in to several scoops of Moose Tracks, that he had weighed himself the other day and found out that he had lost almost ten pounds without even trying.
Now. How is that fair?
Seriously – I have been working for weeks at loosing weight. Eating right. Exercising. Drinking water. Counting weight watchers points. Five weeks of being diligent – and I haven’t lost five pounds yet. And he lost 9 pounds without noticing?!?! Even now I feel my blood pressure sky rocketing as I think about it and I can’t see straight. I would like to scream. loudly. But its 11:47 pm and I would rather not wake my babies.
*several deep breaths occurred here.*
Temper tantrum averted.
Tonight I found myself wondering, “Why, God? Why can’t weight loss be easier? This is so not fair!” And the minute I had these thoughts, I wished I could take them back because I sounded like a big fat whiny baby. But, He answered me anyway.
“I made you.” Yes. That’s what He said – and I realized as He said it that I may have insulted Him. “I love you. I designed you. You were very expensive, but I paid the price for you anyway, so we can have this relationship. You are mine.”
And of course I pressed Him for more answers (because that is how I am)… I asked Him why things couldn’t be different. Why couldn’t He alter the design, just a bit? Like letting me eat ice cream and still loose weight? maybe? Its just not fair – I love ice cream.
He explained to me that He desires for me to live patiently, diligently with godly perseverance – and this new life of eating better was one of the ways He could teach me these qualities. Well, how could I argue with that?
Titus 2:11-14 says this:
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
His desires for me are more than my own satisfaction or happiness. He gave his life in order to purify His people. He has no plans for fairness; rather they are blueprints for righteousness, godliness and the joy that follows. He is the designer of my life; it’s one that is more satisfying than the weight loss I crave and it is sweeter than ice cream.
Heavenly Father – Thank you for your mercy. You treat me with lovingkindness rather than dealing fairly with me… You’ve never given me what I deserve – and for that I am grateful. Help me to continue on this journey – give me the strength to persevere- the will power for diligence and the grace to endure it all. amen.
daily portion 