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Renovation: Fodder for My Soul
As I sit down to eat my lunch, I pause and ask the Lord to bless me and the food I am about to receive as a gift. I like to think of how each particle, each molecule of useful material is used by my body as it performs its active functions and grows new hair, blood, skin. Each nutrient helps to renovate me, with the Lord’s blessing.
In a similar way, I see each moment of my life as fodder for my soul. I am constantly consuming experiences that can be used by me to maintain my active connection to the Lord and help my soul and the souls of those around me flourish and grow.
What allows me to digest my food well is a settled, healthy system. Stress can actually interfere with the process of digestion, which obviously has profound physical effects. I sometimes practice conscious relaxation and breathing in order to reduce the effects of stress on my body, and can feel the physical effects almost immediately. In a similar way, stress in my life can affect my ability to use the moments of my life in a process of growth and regeneration. When I combat this by actively practicing gratitude, I am much more able to see the blessings in my life and enter into them joyfully and fruitfully.
I do not consciously break down the food I eat, and I do not choose how to direct the distribution or consumption of nutrients in various cellular functions. In a similar way, if I want the experiences of my life to change me as the Lord would like me to grow, I let Him guide the process. I choose the food I eat; I choose the course of my life to a great extent, but I would be silly to imagine that I am the one in charge of it all. There are processes and things going on that I can barely comprehend. If I let Him work in me, I will find that my soul will grow healthy and strong.
Lord, thank you for my lunch and the opportunity to share this fodder.
Published in Group Writing
*Burp* 😁
I hope you could taste the Colman’s mustard. It really is the best…
I’m a glutton, so I thank God without pausing.
But seriously, I don’t have to sit, place my palms together, and pray as if the world was watching. I thank God in my mind every time I sit down to eat, every time I take a bite – that he’s seen fit to bless the meal I’m receiving.
And yes, the way our bodies process the nutrients we receive is a miracle itself, a marvel of Divine Engineering . . .
I do, but not as if the world is watching. As if the Lord is watching. (Which He always is!)
This is just right! Thank you!
It is easy to overlook the common grace of the table. I think back to Ecclesiastes 3:
The idea seems to be that we should enjoy refreshing ourselves after a day’s work, with the expectation that, if we see the next day’s sun, we will be fortified to do that next day’s tasks.
This conversation is part of our Group Writing Series under January’s theme: Renovation. There are plenty of dates still available. Have a great home renovation story? Maybe with photos? Have a terrible home renovation story? How about furniture, or an instrument, a plane, a train or an automobile? Are you your renovation project, or someone else’s? Do you have criticism or praise for some public renovation, accomplished or desperately needed? Are you a big fan, or not so much, of home renovation shows? Unleash your inner fan or critic. We have some wonderful photo essays on Ricochet; perhaps you have a story with before and after photos, or reflections on the current state of a long project. The possibilities are endless! Why not start a conversation? Our schedule and sign-up sheet awaits.
Mama Toad, I absolutely love this. Such a great insight. There is so much peace in believing He is using everything that’s happening around me to help me flourish and grow. Thank you. :)
Great post, Ms. Toad.