by Terrence Clark CLC
Thanksgiving Stuffing Holidays meals were more of a smorgasbord. Christmas more than Thanksgiving, but the fall holiday had its share of food. Mom was an excellent cook and being raised on a farm gave her hands much to choose from for preparing tasty dinners. My diet style probably was inherited from my father and learned from my uncles---my mom brothers who loved to eat. So, I remember through the years stuffing myself with a buffet of food from meats, starches, bread, veggies, and desert. And if one plate wasn’t enough, like my sires, I would go back for seconds and then followed by deserts. I often compared after meal moments, in those days, like a snake swallowing a large rat. After dinner, all to do was to sit in a corner, in pain, waiting for the food to digest. Looking back I would have been at anyone mercy, unable to move, stuffed. I mostly was delivered of gluttony later in my adult life. I still ate a lot, but my love for food was not as strong as my father, who often joked, He didn’t eat to live, but he lived to eat. Food was not that much of an idol for me, but I firmly believed the scripture that a man should eat and enjoy the fruit of his labor. 13 And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:13 Emphasizing “enjoy” hence tofu has never been on my list of my most favorite foods. I was at a well-known buffet in Lancaster PA several years ago. My siblings, I, and all our kids had gone. This was the first time my younger brother who also has a fondness for the plate had gone. Kevin had already filled what would be two of his five helpings of everything, I had got two also. A dabble of this and that, along with several pieces of grilled fish. We had all prayed before going to the food stations. I picked up the first spoonful of food and was about to shove it in my mouth when I heard the Lord speak to me. “I don’t mind if you eat (pause), but just enjoy it.” His voice was all so clear. I knew exactly what he meant and that word has changed my eating habits forever. Scriptures surfaced. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 1 Timothy 4:4 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:5 Food is good and the Father has given it to us to enjoy. Good food may please us but its faith that pleases God. I believe, a lot of times, over-eating is done, it is out of fear. Subconsciously, we think I have to eat it all now because I don’t know when I’m going to get this again. Probably a lot of excessiveness and selfishness in life is because of this subconscious fear. Taste buds are wonderful things, after smell, they are the next part of the food experience. In fact, it’s the taste of things that maneuver us to eating all that’s on our plate, probably the most. The interesting thing that our taste buds don’t know the difference between a spoonful of food or a ladle full. It’s the part of the substance that cover the surface of the tongue that brings us pleasure. It is said that our stomach sensor is in twenty-minute delay from our taste buds. We have already eaten the second pieces of cheesecake before our belly says we had enough for now. I am not sure if over-eating is an American thing. I do know that other countries in the world, at least, I have seen pictures of hungry children abroad (and in this country). This is not a condemnation to those who are are right now on this Thanksgiving Day wedged in a corner waiting for the extra piece of pumpkin pie to settle so they can have another. Jesus gave thanks for the two lowly piece of fish and five loaves and bread. It was this act of thanksgiving that cause the meal to multiple so that the multitudes could eat until they were full and that another article coming soon. And I am not always perfecting I will find that out in a few minutes at my table. Oh and I cant dismissed that late night bowl of ice cream and the second piece of my friend Jane’s (from Wawa) Jewish apple cake. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 |
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Consider making and investment into this ministry to help as we reach the world with the good news. Terrence Clark is ordained Christian minister assisting multiple churches and ministries. He is the Chief Editor of VoiceCNC.com and is also a Certified Christian Life Coach—helping people to Win, Overcome, and Advance in the kingdom of God. For Life Coaching or to have Rev. Clark speak at your church or event email us at Vof1@aol.com or call (856) 728-0777 |