Relational Devotion #22 [If I Go Away]

Hi, OK Family.
I don't normally post my daily devotional here, but I thought today's was particularly appropriate, with it being the day before Thanksgiving. I hope you enjoy it.
Blessings,
Mary 

Hi, Everyone.
The Lord and I wrote this devotional several weeks ago, but it is very timely, at least for me. I love how God orchestrates that. Perhaps it will speak to you, too. As always, I love hearing from you.
For those of you who will be traveling today, you are in my prayers. May each of you have a Thanksgiving Day full of family, fellowship, and faith, expressing gratitude to the One who gives blessings without measure.

John 16:5-7
"[Jesus said,] 'Now I am going away to the One who sent Me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I've told you. But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate [Comforter, Encourager, Counselor] won't come. If I do go away, then I will send Him to you.'"

     Jesus had been trying to prepare His disciples for the coming days and the many trials they would face because of their faith. He was also trying to make them understand that He would die but that it was a good thing. When He left, the Comforter would come. Of course, it was difficult for the disciples to see past their grief. Jesus understood and explained that once He left, the Holy Spirit could and would come to them.

What this has to do with weight loss:  One of the hardest things to go through on the weight-loss and/or weight-loss surgery journey is the mourning of being able to use food as comfort. It is a most necessary death, though, and once it passes, true comfort comes and that is seeing and using food as what it is...fuel. One learns to experience comfort in more appropriate ways.

Today, consider whether or not you use food as comfort. If so, make a concerted effort to look to the One who gives true, lasting comfort. Thank the Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit, and rely on Him to meet your emotional needs. The song I'd like for you to listen to today is a secular song, but the very first time I heard it, I thought of it as if Jesus was singing it to His disciples, as if it were His final message to them. Listen to 6-year-old Connie Talbot (contestant on Japan's "Star King") as she sings "I will Always Love You." [Note: The host speaks Japanese to Connie, for the first 5 seconds or so.]
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8b325623ee9286 331012

Blessings,
Mary

Thanks Mary for posting this....this just added to my own devotional this morning....wow. I am having to rely on that comfort now instead of food..getting better each day. Big hugz to you!! How are u feeling these days??

LaDetra

Hi, LaDetra.
Thanks for reading and replying. Are you feeling relief from the nausea yet? I've been praying for you. I feel almost guilty, as I've had no complications and feel so good. I'm very grateful and will continue to be, even when surrounded by turkey and all the fixins tomorrow. :)
Hugs back,
Mary :)

Yes, thank you Mary...I am feeling relief from the nausea. Doctor called in some phenergan gel for me yesterday and it has started to help. I am taking it easy today just chillin and relaxin.

LaDetra

I'm so glad, LaDetra. :)

Thanks for posting your devontional.  The Holy Spirit will always give us that lasting satisfaction that we tend to seek in the food, but it never comes from the later.  I extend blessings to all of you for Thanksgiving.  I hope it is filled with love, laughter, and family.  That is what is important, not the food.  Michael

Hi, Michael.
Thanks for reading and replying. Yes, it's so satisfying (literally) to allow the Holy Spirit to comfort us and feed us, rather than trying to do so with food, which cannot handle emotional issues.
Blessed Thanksgiving,
Mary

Mary,

You're such a cool person...I wish others had more of your particular brand of kindness and "gumption".....  (I'm not sure what "gumption" is, but I think it's a good thing to have....)....

either way, I love ya...

T.

Aw...I love you, too, Thomas. I'm no one special, really. God has been more than kind to me, Jesus has saved me--not just eternally--on more than one occasion, and the Holy Spirit gives me everything else that I need (comfort, wisdom, etc.). Of course, they're all the same, but it helps me to think of them differently, if that makes sense.
Anyway, thanks for your kind words. I do hope you'll be with someone for Thanksgiving, tomorrow.
Blessings,
Mary

Mary,
Thank you so much for adding this post. What a gift you are to all of us on OH. How blessed  we are to live in a country that allows us to publicly enjoy our faith.
~Lisa~