Simple Delights

I just had a most wonderful experience as I shopped the aisles of Whole Foods Market.  As you can imagine, because I live a gluten-free lifestyle, and there is almost always some form of gluten in the ingredients, I generally ignore the free samples of food.  This time, though, there was a display (with samples) of Glutino brand (a gluten-free manufacturer) pretzels on one of the end caps.  Initially, I didn’t take any, as I easily end up with a pantry full of gluten-free junk food.  As I came upon it for the second time, I decided to try one, with no intention of buying.  My experience with many of the gluten-free offerings has left me less than satisfied in taste or consistency, and sometimes both.

Wow!  Was I surprised as I bit into this little pretzel!  I kept re-checking the display to be certain these were gluten-free.  Maybe I had been mistaken and had just re-introduced gluten into my system, for which I would pay in a few hours.  No, they were the real thing – and safe!  Then I wanted to ask people around me if they understood how good these gluten-free pretzels are.  I asked another lady who was looking at one of the bags if she eats gluten-free.  When she looked at me like I had three heads, I quickly determined that she is not – a little disappointing, to be honest, only because I so wanted to share the delight of my find with someone who could really appreciate it!

This all seems pretty silly, I know.  I am, after all, just talking about pretzels; but these pretzels, and the simple delights and simple pleasures they represent, can be just the needed boost to keep us going on our course.  May you be surprised by your own simple delight today, my friends!

The Goodness of God!

Psalm 27:13-14 NIV  “¹³ I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  ¹⁴ Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Through a personal experience, I want to remind you today of the goodness of our God right here and right now – not just “in the sweet by-and-by.”  As I was coming to the end of eating as I have always known it, I was wondering about how I would manage to prepare for and eat only gluten-free when I travel to the nations.  God reminded me that He knew, when He called me to the nations and when He didn’t release me to travel until I was 50, that I would have to deal with celiac disease.  It wasn’t a surprise to Him.  When He made that clear, I was assured that He will guide me in the planning and in the eating when future trips come.

Immediately following that train of thought, He helped me understand another positive side of this whole situation.  You see, I’ve been aware of decreasing energy levels (beyond what should be “normal” at my age), and have wondered how I would keep going on these long trips without dragging and holding back the mission.  In one quick moment, the Lord helped me see that this new way of eating is going to allow Him to restore my energy to the proper levels, which will more than make up for the extra effort required for my food!

God is so good!  I know I still have to draw completely on His grace to do all that is required on these trips, even when I have more energy than I’ve had in a while.  But in His goodness to me right here and right now, He is helping me see what is necessary to work in conjunction with His grace, not contrary to it! I give Him all the glory!

I am excited to share this with you, because I know there are things He requires of each of you that take much effort and even take you out of your comfort zone – even if it has nothing to do with food.  When He does, however, you can remain confident that you will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, for He is good and He has good for you!

Loving you today and every day, my precious sisters!

Kay