When I Was a Child

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. 1 Corinthians 13:11

So it seems I am a bit preoccupied these days with the need to drop a few pounds... again. It seems the fifteen pounds I took off last year (and the year before, and the year before, etc...) have returned and brought a few friends along!

I find it very annoying to have to do things over again when they've already been done - my family will quickly attest to this fact!

So here I am, reading a variety of diet books simultaneously trying to incorporate the best of all plans into my erratic lifestyle. The problem is, everything I'm reading keeps discouraging the "quick fix" diet plans that I am so fond of. I don't really want to have to make long-term changes to the way I eat - just to the way I weigh! I want to have my cake (the whole thing) and eat it, too, and just not experience any lasting effects. It's a nice thought... But ridiculous, I know.

So I was thinking about this situation, and the verse from 1 Corinthians 13 came to mind, with a further thought: when I was a child, I could EAT as a child. I understand that in every other area of life, I must put away those childish ways - I no longer play with dolls, I don't make mud pies, I accept that paying bills and buying groceries are part of life as a responsible adult. I don't skip rope anymore - though I'd like to try that again someday! I understand the reality of saving and waiting and dealing with life as it happens.

So I guess what it boils down to is that it's time to grow up! I can reminisce about the carefree days of childhood, but that doesn't mean I want to go back to elementary school. And I can remember what it was like to eat two or three candy bars with a Pepsi and no repercussions, but that doesn't mean I should do it at this stage of my life.

So maybe it's just one last holdout against growing up, this eating problem... Maybe in putting away childish things in my eating patterns I can develop the kind of mature discipline that will make me a more effective disciple in other areas of my life as well...

Just a thought...