Sunday, December 20, 2009

Psalm 23: A Potluck Preparation

Well, Sunday is here again, and though I definitely have not worked all the bad habits out of my lifestyle (this is a journey, not a jump), I feel very positive about the fact that writing this blog has already started affecting my mentality about food, exercise, and wellness. Last week, I felt excited about my blog, but skeptical about it's subject matter. Today, I am ready to embrace another change-albeit small-and see what the week will bring.

So, without further ado, my challenge for WEEK 2 in the journey towards my skinny jeans, (drum roll, please) will be: WATER. Everyday, I will strive to drink eight glasses of water. This change may seem trivial, but in the light of all the stuff I drink INSTEAD of water, it could make a big difference.

My report card for last week is a solid A. My multivitamin made down the hatch everyday, although I did switch to taking it in the evening after I was revisited by it on Wednesday morning. Now, to add the second card to a deck of 52 (weeks in a year). I am optimistic that this years card game will not disintegrate into a round of 52 card pick-up with you all cheering me on. Ya'll are like my Verizon network. So. Do you want to go to a potluck with me?

Potlucks are a Baptist tradition. For those of you unfamiliar, these gatherings involve, food, fellowship, and yeah, food--lots and lots of food. The great irony is, Baptists are naturally great promoters of moderation, just as Scripture is a great promoter of moderation. Unfortunately, in our humanness, we've forgotten to add "Don't eat yourself into a diabetic coma," to the list of more commonly held Baptist boycotts--you know--don't Shake Your Groove Thing, inhale, or imbibe.

But MAN! Do we love to eat!

Tonight, I am going to go armed for the fray. I am going to eat well, and come home with my head high. I am not going to feel half conscious because of carbohydrate consumption. I will think carefully about what goes on my plate, and when I get to the dessert line, I will choose either one dessert or two cookies to enjoy with my decaf. I will not feel deprived of the 25 other varieties of dessert I missed. I will feel glad for the one I tasted.

However, I realize I can't accomplish this feat alone, so, I am taking my good Shepherd with me through the potluck line. The following paraphrase of Psalm 23 will be in my pocket.

"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want the whole buffet.
He leads me beside the green vegetables, he makes me to drink the un-carbonated waters,
He restores my stomach, for I will feel full in about twenty minutes,
And He leads me in the path of good choices for His Name's sake.
Yeah, though I walk through the dessert line, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me
Your Word and the commitments You have helped me to make will comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies (the mashed potatoes, the fried chicken, and the trip back for seconds).
You anoint my head with the oil of victorious living;
My cup runs over, because I am happy for all I have on my plate and not regretful of what is left in the casserole dishes.
Surely good health and mercy for others seeking the same will follow me all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in God's will for me all the days of my life.
AMEN!"

LET'S GO EAT!

2 comments:

  1. HAHAHAHA! I'm going to do this with you! I need to drink water too... I'm pretty good at my vitamin so I had that one down already. We'll get skinny together :-)

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  2. Your Psalm 23 interpretation is needed with our Baptist tradition of Potlucks!

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