Snow covered the field and boots covered my deck. Lots of boots and double the number of gloves. My kitchen was a mess hall. Literally. The levee behind my pond was THE place to sled on those rare days in Arkansas when white stuff coats the hill. Back in those days, that made my house THE place for boys to hang out. We cooked chili, cinnamon rolls and chicken noodle soup for hungry masses. When the groceries ran out, I ordered pizza delivery. Then I got tired of dishes and wet tracks, so I quit feeding them and they all left went somewhere else.
Funny how that works
There are more than a few reruns in my head that need to leave and go somewhere else. About the time I think every thought is taken captive, a song, a conversation or a social media post pushes play and the whole thing runs in a loop from beginning to never ending. I’ve emptied the pantry of my soul and gone back for more.
“I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I’m thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, ‘Will I ever make it – arrive and drink in God’s presence?’ I’m on a diet of tears – tears for breakfast, tears for supper.” Psalm 42:2-3 MSG
Mud covered memories cake to my boots and cover my happiness. And it’s my own fault.
Time to starve
Maybe I should quit feeding it and it will just leave and move on. Trust me I know it isn’t that simple, but what we feed our minds will consume our hearts from the inside out. I want God’s rest, but sometimes I refuse it and I suspect I’m not alone.
“God has told his people, ‘Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.’ But they would not listen.” Isaiah 28:12 NLT
what we feed our minds will consume our hearts from the inside out Click To TweetTime to stop
Stop cooking up thoughts, replenishing hurts and ordering delivery of more pain. Hurt, anger, regret and bitterness will hang around as long as you cater to them. The rehearsal of facts feeds the monsters until everything is consumed.
“The more I thought about it, the hotter I got, igniting a fire of words.” Psalm 39:3 NLT
Perhaps in solitude by the warmth of the fire, with the laundry all done and the plates all washed, I can stop and feed my empty soul. So can you.
I’m ready for spring
But the time to consume healthy is now.
“When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight.” Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
What do you need to starve this year?
This subject keeps popping up around me. My pastor in his sermons and I picked up a book called “Uninvited” by Lysa Terkeurst where she talks about healing from rejection. Now that my kids have left the nest, I feel I have no friends. No one to call for a movie or just to talk. Rejections have peppered my life since I was literally a baby and I am struggling with the pain of them to allow me to reach out. It’s incredibly hard. One of thing I read last night was about allowing the pain. It takes about how we try to control the world around us or bury ourselves in work, social media, food or other sinful or unhealthy things to occupy our mind. I’ve done this for years and years. She said you had to allow the pain so God could heal you. I will be reading her book, highlighting the words and praying for healing through the pain. I believe God is working on me and the same themes come up everywhere for me right now. Thank you for your words!
I love this. There is a time to starve, to fast, to be without. But there is a time to feast on God’s Goodness, His Mercy, and His Joy and especially His Love. Bon Appetit, my friend!