Day #3,
We are into our third day of our Food Challenge and already "sin" has entered our camp.
Last night at dinner, Murphy mentioned that he had attended a day-long conference in Southern Indiana. Unable to stop and eat his 'beans & rice,' several of those also on the Food Challenge decided that Qudoba would be a fitting substitution.
You can imagine what the girls and I thought of his impromptu diversion from our diet. "THAT's NOT FAIR!" Quickly the judgemental accusations began to fly about not "REALLY" being dedicated to our cause and an entire laundry list of other things.
Later, while taking Madeline to bball practice, she mentioned that another family in our challenge had decided to altar the 5 Day Food Challenge plan too. Instead of eating 'beans & rice' everyday, they were substituting 'small portions' of their regular meals. Their justification was they were eating less and still benefiting from their sacrifice.
She and I discussed how quickly we race to place judgements upon others for their actions. Without thinking, we judge them according to 'our rules.' At the same time, we are unaware that seeds of bitterness and discontent are being planted deep within our very souls. We had a GREAT conversation which trickled into a family discussion regarding those who follow the rules and those who make rules for themselves.
All in the day of a Food Challenged Family....
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It didn’t hit me until this morning that I would need to ‘fix’ something for my entire family to eat BEFORE I left for work. So, at 6:30 am I’m cooking black beans, basmati rice, and grits. Weird smells to have floating throughout the house at such an early time of the day.
In my cubical this morning, my mind has wondered numerous times into "SNACK-LAND." I've inadvertantly thought to myself, "What can I eat? Why am I so hungry?" And then the realization hits me "remember those who are hungry."
Later, as I'm leaving the building for lunch, I run to my car and to rip open my small container of rice and black beans. I want to gorge myself, but instead I pause...thankfulness and gratitude tumble from my lips to God. As I look for a spoon in the glove-compartment, I laugh to myself that it wouldn't matter whether I found one or not. I'd shamelessly eat with my fingers.
As I walk through Target, my mind wonders to food aisles for getting something salty for snacking later and again I'm caught in the awareness that I've chosen hunger.
Hunger to remember... not to take food or my next meal for granted.
I'll keep you posted....
Portion sizes around the world are much smaller than a typical American meal. One cup or eight ounces is a generous protion. Meat is a luzury with the average African male consuming about 2 ounces a day--the size of a small chicken nugget. Fresh fruit is rare, available only if locally gornw and in season. (NECC website)
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