Something quite amazing happened today . . . something that most people wouldn’t even think twice about. But for those of us walking this Thin Within journey – well it was a really big deal! It was the warmest afternoon here in Colorado Springs that we have had in a long, long time. Everywhere I looked there were people in shorts, capris and flip flops. The snowstorm and frigid temperatures of a week ago were forgotten as I picked up my girls from school and decided on a whim to take them out for ice cream. Why not? It seemed like the most perfect opportunity, and we didn’t have to pick up big brother from his school party for hours.
We all squealed with delight as we hopped in the car, rolled down the windows, turned up the music and headed to our favorite 50’s drive-in a couple of miles away. We were about half way there when I realized something – oh dear. I am not hungry, not even in the least. In fact I had had a late lunch only a couple of hours ago and was quite satisfied thank you very much. What to do?
My girls had no idea that I was struggling with this dilemma as we drove on and they discussed what kind of ice cream cone they were going to get. It wasn’t very long ago at all that I wouldn’t have thought twice about picking out an ice cream cone right alongside my girls whether I was hungry or not. But now, here in the car during this joyful family moment, I was having a whole conversation with myself in my mind . . . and to be honest, with my heart. Annoying questions popped into my head such as: If you only choose to follow your eating boundaries when you feel like it, how often will you really do it? Will it be worth it if you break your boundaries? How many years have you been breaking your boundaries and for what? What does God want for you? How will you feel later in the afternoon after you’ve had that nice, big, drippy ice cream cone that you weren’t hungry for? Is it ever worth it to break your boundaries? Will eating an ice cream cone with your girls right now make this a more meaningful moment for them, for us?
Image courtesy of Serge Bertasins Photography/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
No. No, no, no, no. It’s not worth it – it’s not worth it now and it never has been worth it. We pulled up to the crowded drive-in and my girls excitedly ordered two junior ice cream cones – one dipped in rainbow sprinkles and one dipped in chocolate. The lady behind the window said, “Will that be all for you today?” And I say “Yes!” I half expected the entire group of restaurant customers that were sitting outside on picnic tables to stop talking and laughing, look at me and say “WHAT???!!!” But they didn’t. I half expected one or both of my girls to say, “Mom – aren’t you going to get one?” in disappointed voices. But they didn’t. There were no thunder claps or lightning bolts either. In fact, no one noticed at all . . . except me and God.
And all of a sudden I realized that it was a pretty cool moment between me and God. I could tell by the peace that I felt inside of me that He was pleased. I had not run to food this time – for any reason. I had fully submitted my will and let His will take over in my afternoon ice cream situation. Rather than feeding the hunger in my soul with food as I had done a million times before I let God feed my soul. It felt good, it felt right. And by golly a couple of hours later I was hungry again and you know what I did? I ate the last few bites of my youngest daughter’s ice cream cone that she had saved “for later” in the freezer when we got home. She offered it to me and I said “Don’t you want to eat the rest? You saved it from hours ago!” And do you know what she said? “No Mom, you can have it. I’m just not hungry!” 🙂
How about you?
Can you relate to my ice cream with sprinkles predicament? How does our loving God call us to act when we so desperately want to turn to food? Have you experienced the freedom and peace that comes from submitting completely to God in any given situation? God loves you more than you can imagine. What is He saying to you today?
I was so encouraged by that testimony.I wold love for it to be mine…I am trying to fall more in love with Jesus and less in love with food.
Hi Marge! I’m so glad you were encouraged by my ice cream and sprinkles story. I’m right in the middle of it just like you are . . . one step at a time. I love what you said – falling in love with Jesus more than with food. So true, so true! Blessings to you on your journey. God is doing a new thing in you today! 🙂
I love this story, Christina. It’s so great! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Barb! I’m so glad my funny little ice cream story touched you. Blessings to you!
There is nothing more precious than knowing I have pleased my Father God, bringing pleasure to Him! 🙂
Hi Susan! You are so right! I treasure those little moments along this journey and put them in my back pocket when I need to be reminded of God’s perfect love for me. 🙂
This is why I love Thin Within! Our children lead by example- repeating what they see and hear. And my oldest will say,” no thanks. I’m not hungry right now.” And he also refers to being,” full to his eyes” or “empty to his toes” lol thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Karli! I’m so glad we are on this journey together. Thanks so much for sharing – the comments your children share about being hungry and full are precious! Blessings to you! 🙂
I really enjoy your writing style, Christina. You’re so easy to relate to. The way you show God’s faithfulness and timing is wonderful and inspires hope for all who read it. It did in me! It would be amazing to takes a walk with you as a friend. 🙂
Hi Cathy! Let’s walk this journey together, sister! I love to read your posts as well. Thanks so much for your encouraging words. God is so good, isn’t he? I am so grateful for what he is doing in both of our journeys!!! 🙂
I love this story! I get stuck in this predicament for what seems like a daily basis with four kids and a husband who loves drive thru. I have to remind myself that there will always be another time if and when I get hungry. God is able to meet our needs if I let him. And my kids do the same thing: stopping in the middle of something delicious when they are full naturally. I love our little role models!
Thanks Susan! I am glad there is someone else out there having the same struggles as I am. You are right – there will always be another time to have those fries or that ice cream come . . . when we’re hungry. God is more than able! Blessings to you! 🙂
Christina, this was so encouraging! I feel like the Lord has shown me through your post that I have the courage (from Him) to make similar choices. Praise God!
Hi Christina! From one Christina to another, I am so glad you were encouraged by my ice cream story. Yes – we do have the courage through Christ. How awesome is that?! 🙂
Christina, thank you so much for sharing your story! This is something that I really struggle with. I want to participate when we stop for special treats, hungry or not! What a great reminder that we have these boundaries for a reason! Not eating the treat if I’m not hungry won’t make it any less special for my girls! And that special moment between me and God when I make the choice to obey is so much sweeter than whatever food we stopped for. I do want to say that our kids do notice, even if they don’t say anything at the time. Your daughter proved that :-).
Hi Lauren! Thank you so much for your comments. “That special moment between me and God when I make the choice to obey is so much sweeter than whatever food we stopped for.” That is excellent truth card material – thank you! 🙂