Wednesday; November 21


          I realize it is inappropriate to discuss “diets” during the week of Thanksgiving – but, here goes.  I have been on enough diets in my life to realize that the hardest time for me to stick to a program is during this time of year.  I would like to blame it on Thanksgiving, but the truth of the matter is that the problem typically begins the day after Thanksgiving.  Let me see if I can explain.  A lot of people are successful with a diet leading into Thanksgiving, then comes our national annual feast day and our good intentions go out the window.  This, however, is still not a problem.  Most diets can stand one day of diversion, the problem comes in when we never get back on track.  I mean, we can’t leave the left-overs to spoil can we ... and then there are all the holiday parties ... and then there is the Christmas dinner ... and, of course, we should be able to enjoy the New Year’s Eve parties ... and then there is more football (and feasting on New Year’s Day)!  So what began as a simple break to enjoy our Thanksgiving meal is now the foundation for a New Year’s Resolution of diet and exercise.  An exception to be enjoyed on November 22 is now the routine through January 1. 
          The reason for this observation is not to guilt us into not enjoying our Thanksgiving meal, it is to remind us that good intentions must be followed up with an internal fortitude to stay committed.  This principle is as true with our church attendance, moral purity, kindness and gratitude as it is with our diet.  We may not always be on the top of our game, but when we commit to staying the course, we can weather the occasional failures.  We mustn’t allow one stumble to become a pattern that returns us to our old ways.  The New Testament reminds us, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:58).  Are we willing to be committed to being better?        
          Think About It!

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