Thankful

It may help to know that I don't always have it together. I have a "to-do" list a mile long and I wasted most of my morning not having accomplished anything on it. Knowing that I need to get something accomplished this morning, I get on the treadmill and run. Just do it and get on with my day so I can at least check exercise off my list. I am not sure about you, but that is when God chooses to talk to me. Probably because He knows that I will be still enough during that time to actually hear Him. My thoughts tend to wander during prayer.

 

 (I pinned this on Pinterest long ago and cannot find its original source.)

Like usual, I get on the treadmill and remind myself why I am doing this. I mean really, I don't enjoy exercise much less running. And then I begin to throw myself a pity party because I have no choice but to exercise. I feel helpless. My family's diet now revolves around what I can and can't eat and I think they may be ready to revolt. And despite my best efforts of cutting carbs, adding more fiber and protein to my diet and exercising at least 5 days a week I still feel tired and have crazy hormonal imbalances. So why am I doing this?!? Then God reminds me of a blog post from a new friend I read a few weeks back at Love One More. In the post she states "All I could think about were the Moms who have nothing to feed their kids. The moms who would be proud and would love to offer their family a home cooked meal of rice and beans." So I begin to pray and cry. I am ever so thankful that I have the tools and resources to put a hot meal on the table every night for my family. I am thankful that I struggle with what nutritious foods to line my pantry and fill my refrigerator with. But I am even more thankful for this syndrome. It has humbled me. It has forced me to put my pride aside. It has opened my eyes to be more aware of others and how I can somehow help them. So as I plan meals for my family, I will include rice and beans. It has everything necessary to make a complete filling meal - carbs, fiber and protein. As you ponder whether to make the recipe I have posted, pray for those who can only offer their family this meal.