Don’t let your body go!
“19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (I Corinthians 6:19-20, NKJV)
Look at that belly! I am not proud of that and it is something I have been struggling with throughout my grief journey. Right after Pat died all these wonderful people brought food to me so that I did not need to worry about nourishment. Actually, nourishment was not top of mind for me. After all the food was gone, my diet and desire for food was not good! I ate for comfort and unfortunately I ballooned up over 220 pounds – all my clothes were tight and I could not tuck in my shirts.
Now after 2 years I have come to the stark realization that I have lost control of myself in an area that is in direct contradiction to God’s Word. I really need to take care of this body and go back to the ways my dear bride taught me to eat and exercise. I have lost 20 pounds. I need to lose 30 more. My best weight is around 170 pounds. I remember how good I felt when I was that weight. I was eating right and I was exercising daily. I have started eating right for the most part, but I have fallen back into a habit of eating too much fast food.
I am not exercising – that can have catastrophic results. My greyhounds love their backyard, but they both love to walk with me on the leash. I have mapped out a trail from my house that is exactly 1.1 miles. Two loops and I have just over 2 miles. I need to get back into that daily habit. I am reminded of Daniel in the Bible:
“So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.” (Daniel 1: 11 – 16, NKJV)
I have discovered prepared salads that give me bulk, protein, and carbohydrates. I love salmon, tuna, turkey and chicken. I am rediscovering pork. I need to steer away from fried foods and pizza (pizza is my all time favorite comfort food)! And I need to exercise. I have discovered I cannot do this on my own power for a sustained period – I need to have help from the Lord! I also know that I stayed in shape to please my wife. Now I need to stay in shape to please the Lord!
LESSON LEARNED: Grief can play havoc with your diet and exercise. I need to not let grief continue to have dominion over my body! God loves my soul and I tell him every day I love Him. I need to show Him that I do!
“So Samuel said:
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
As in obeying the voice of the Lord?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.” (1 Samuel 15:22, NKJV)
Widower's Walk 