Relational Devotion #22 [If I Go Away]

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