The Finish Line

Overnight my digestive system must shut down.  It seems like I always feel better in the morning...with no growls or uncomfortable hungry feelings.  Since I was at a conference all day, I decided my best course of action was simply to skip lunch also.

It worked.  I didn't feel too terribly hungry today.  But when I got back to the hotel tonight and was heating my one daily serving in the lobby microwave, a lightheadedness swept over me.  I think I was ready to eat.

Although I didn't realize it at the time, my compatriots at this conference selected one of my favorite places to enjoy dinner...The Cheesecake Factory.

Just to put it in perspective, I decided to look up the nutritional information of the cheesecake that I think I may have ordered if it had been a different trip...a different time.  As I browsed their online menu, the dessert that caught my eye tonight was White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut.

Yes, I think that's exactly what I would've ordered.  Right after I finished my dinner.

The calories in this one decadent dessert?  1,222.  Approximately my amount of calories in a 5-day period...as an after dinner treat.

Now, I'm not condemning anyone.  In fact, in a few months when I'm back to see "you know who", I may just insist on stopping there.  I'm simply making a relevant comparison of calories.  Wow.

As it is, however, I'm sipping an ice water and trying to be content with just looking at the picture.  Sometimes it is overwhelming.

This whole day, actually, has been overwhelming.  Have you ever went to a conference and had so much good information thrust into your brain about topics in which you are passionate that you think your head may just explode?  Do you know that feeling of excitement tempered with a feeling of inadequacy that makes the challenges ahead of you seem thrilling yet insurmountable?

Yeah, it's been one of those days.  In fact, with ongoing seminary classes combined with this hunger project, it has been several of those months.  

But I saw a video tonight that put things in perspective.

You also have a Father who will come down out of the stands to hold you up when you think you can't go on, when you think you have to do it alone, when you want to just break down and cry.  

And He will help you make it to that finish line.

And He will help me make it to that finish line.

Shameless Audacity

The easy days seem to be behind me.  I have been so hungry today that it is painful and kind of nauseating.

My day was packed full.  After a busy morning of taking care of business at home and making a hospital visit, I got to meet some great college kids at a discovery fair.  Then I picked up my own kids, dropped them off at home, packed four daily servings in a cooler, distributed hugs and kisses to everyone, and headed to KC for a Leadership Institute.  

I was doing pretty good until sitting in the car for 3 hours.  Once we got here everyone went out to enjoy dinner.  This was the first time I couldn't bear to go along and just sit and drink my ice water.  I just couldn't do it.  

After heating and eating a serving down in the lobby, I climbed into bed to listen to my Greek lecture.  Now the lecture is over and I'm already hungry again.

This is definitely new.  Apparently my body is panicking a bit and realizing that reserves are getting smaller with no additional calories in sight.

Will there be another ebb?  Will I get any periods of relief between now and day 109?

But this is temporary.  Day 110 will come.  I'm strong and healthy...blessed.

This morning I was talking to a friend of mine who is going through a trying time with her health.  She said something like, "I have asked God and asked God for healing over the years and He has been very generous to me.  I have had a good life.  How can I keep asking him for more?  I feel that I am being selfish and that maybe I should just accept my health and quit asking for more favors."

Do you feel like that?  Do you wonder if you're being selfish when you ask God to heal or help you in any way...especially if you've seen the fruit of those prayers and know that God has been generous?  

Well don't.  

The book of Luke tells us that Jesus taught us to pray.  You've heard this prayer before.  It's the Lord's Prayer (Our Father, who art in heaven...).  Then right after that we are told a parable.  Take a look:

Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 

And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 

I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.  --Luke 11:5-8

On top of all of that, we are next given this little gem.

Shameless audacity.

God wants you to seek him boldly and without shame!  Don't stop your praying.

Ask, seek, knock...and receive.