Devotion #55

Hi, Everyone.
Just in case you didn't hear me singing the "Hallelujah" chorus yesterday, I have a date for surgery! November 17th is VSG day! I cherish your prayers, for the surgery and beyond. I know so many of you have been praying for me, and I appreciate it. Thank you.
Today's devotion is from my personal journal dated June 2, 2007.

     I had the opportunity today to eat a BIG ice cream sundae. I'm talking the works:  vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, nuts, whipped cream, and a cherry!
     Then I got "the nudge." No, I'm not talking about my dear husband nudging me to get him a sundae, too. I'm talking about the Holy Spirit nudge. This was our "conversation."
     Holy Spirit: "Are you sure you want to eat that?"
     Mary: "Oh, I'm sure I want to eat that."
     Holy Spirit: "Are you absolutely sure you want to eat that?"
     Mary: "With all due respect, Your Word says that 'every creation of God is good, and nothing to 
     be rejected if it is received with gratitude' (I Timothy 4:4), and I plan to be grateful for this
     sundae."
     Holy Spirit: "Maybe you should reconsider."
     Mary: "Again, with all due respect [can you tell I really wanted to eat the sundae?], Your Word
     says that 'all things are permissible for me' (I Corinthians 6:12), so I can eat this sundae.
     Right?"
     Holy Spirit: "Yes, but what is the rest of that verse?"
     Mary: "'...but not all things are profitable.'  Oh..."
     Holy Spirit: "You must decide if this sundae is 'profitable' for you."
     Mary: "I get it."
     Needless to say, I did not eat the sundae. In thinking about it, I realized that I never feel good after I eat ice cream, and the more "extras" it has with it, the worse I feel.
     It is true that I can eat anything I want, if I eat it with thanksgiving and discipline, but if it's not a "helpful" food, then I need to choose not to eat it. I guess it's about knowing my body AND being honest with God and myself.

Today, think about how your relationship with God helps you to make better, more "profitable" eating choices. Allow that to lead you, as it did for me, to thinking about how much the Lord has helped you, changed your life, from salvation on.
Listen to CeCe Winans sing "Alabaster Box," and watch this dramatization of the song. [Note: the screen will be dark for the first 30 seconds, until CeCe begins to sing.]
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=7ad1f36c354e35 99a562

Blessings,
Mary

Congrats on your surgery day, it happens to be one of the very best days of the year, my birthday! I'll be keeping you in prayer on "our" special day. I'm sure it will all go smoothly and God will bless you many fold!

I love that Nov. 17th, my surgery date, is your birthday!  It might seem silly, but I take that as a confirmation, that it is the perfect day for my surgery. :)  Thank you for keeping me in your prayers.
Blessings,
Mary

Mary,
Praise the Lord for your surgery date.  That is terrific.  I just learned today that my sister is scheduled for LapBand on the 10th of November as well.  I am thrilled for her as well.

I will pray for you throughout your journey.

Hugs,
Trish

Hi, Patricia.
Good news, about your sister's surgery. Thank you for just being you! Thank you for reading our devotional and replying. Have a great day.
Blessings,
Mary

Mary,

Praise Jesus for your date.  I will be right in front of you.  My date is Nov. 4th.  I think I was more excited to hear about your date then my own.  Sometimes it's easier to be more excited for others then it is for yourself!

Our health is going to be restored.  We can begin our lives the way the Lord always intended!

Jen

Hi, Jen.
Your surgery is on my pre-op consultation day! AND it's election day, so you're casting your vote for a new YOU! (Cheesy, I know, but I just couldn't resist.) Thank you for being excited for me. That is so sweet.
Yes, our health will be restored, as we submit to this process and eat with thanksgiving and discipline. I'm not going to complain, when I sit down to Thanksgiving Dinner and partake of turkey broth (strained) and sugar-free jello, but, I'll be honest, I AM asking the Lord if He'll bless me by allowing me NOT to end up looking like a Shar Pei in a year! :)
Please let me know if there's anything I can pray for, for you, other than the normal surgery day request.
Blessings,
Mary