| 
Hold
Fast to that Which is Good
By Carolyn Allen
The first part of August is a time
to treasure. Though the return to school and regular schedules may
be approaching, it’s still down the road far enough for us
to make the most of slower days. Even in the dog days of summer,
however, there are times to take action as quickly as possible.
Today’s Scripture: “Prove
all things, hold fast to that which is good.” (I Thessalonians:
5:21)
Now here’s a scripture to have
a party with! We could explore all kinds of things in these ten
meaty little words, i.e. the meaning of the word “prove”
and the definition of the word “good.”
But it’s summer! We’re
relaxing! Let’s go for the easiest word here: fast. But even
with this word, there are 14 definitions in the dictionary. In a
scriptural context, the one that applies best is probably “not
easily moved, to be firmly locked, or fixed in place.”
Of course, that defines exactly what healthy living and weight loss
is all about, but I’m going for an even simpler “weight
loss made easy” tactic: Let’s stretch it (and better
to use and expand the scriptures than the elastic in our pants,
don’t you think?) and take it with another dictionary definition:
sheer speed!
Oh, not in terms of dropping the pounds,
because we all know that anything more than two pounds per week
is never permanent, but in terms of quickly and speedily responding
to that which is good for our health and our bodies. If we’re
not mindful, delays have a way of turning into detours that lead
right back to the well traveled road of bad habits and the past.
Every minute counts!
For example:
Fast! Find someone
to talk to instead of eating more than you need at any social gathering;
Fast! Order first at the restaurant before you
have a chance to change your mind to what
others may be ordering;
Fast! Put that knife into the sink! No “sniggling”
edges and tastes of treats from the pan
while no one is looking;
Fast! Scoop those leftovers into containers and
into the freezer without nibbling;
Fast! Get out of the kitchen when it’s not
eating time;
Fast! Drink 16 ounces of water instead of eating
between meals;
Fast! Tie on your shoes and do just 10-15 minutes
of exercise (I promise — even 5 minutes into
it, enthusiasm and energy will kick in!)
Fast! Pop in a strong breath mint or sugarless
gum while cooking in the kitchen;
Fast! Say to yourself “My body is not
a trash can” while marching children’s leftovers
to the
trash;
Fast! Get rid of treats that someone gave you to
be nice; and
Fast! Jump into the pool! Splash, kick and do
some laps rather than just lounging.
As every parent knows, it’s much
kinder, wiser and easier in the long run to just rip that bandage
off than to peel it off slowly. In the same way, we can quickly
make so many health choices, which will then allow us to hold fast
in the true scriptural sense of holding firm and steady.
Oh, it’s a lovely cycle to act
fast in order to hold fast. Here’s to speedy, steady us in
the slow, last days of summer!
Today’s Empowerment:
“I have many easy, healthy choices that need no deliberation.
My fast actions allow me to hold fast to my health goals.”
Today’s Journal Prompt/Discussion
Starters:
- What eating situations do I need
to remove myself from in a hurry?
- What detours this past week could
I have avoided if I had just moved faster?
- The scripture says “Prove
all things.” Though it is summer and things slow down, what
can I do to prove to my Heavenly Father and myself that I am caring
responsibly for my body?
Today’s Recipe:
Summer Macaroni Salad
(8 Servings at 145 calories)
1 8 oz. box uncooked macaroni (2
cups)
1/2 cup chopped red onions
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cups small broccoli florets, lightly steamed
1 rib celery, diced
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 cucumber, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup low fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup 1% lowfat milk
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar (or rice vinegar)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. basil
Cook pasta until tender. Drain. Rinse
under cold running water and rinse again. Toss with vegetables.
Whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over salad and toss gently
to coat. Best when allowed to chill for a bit for flavors to blend.
(2 g Fiber; 145 calories; 2 g Fat;
29 g Carb)
Click
here to sign up for Meridian's FREE email updates.
© 2007 Meridian
Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
|
