bread

Hi! It's Megan here. I'm kind of excited to jump into this blog and share my heart. I've had some thoughts swirling around in my head so I guess it's time to put those thoughts into action and share them with the world. As we cross the two-week mark of this intense journey, there have definitely been some big changes in my heart and in my body.

On day nine, I wrote the following in my journal "Beyond the food, I don't feel deeper spiritually. I know it's not always about a feeling, but I pray that God would move in my heart. I pray that I can be more aware of what He has for me. God, are you there?" It's funny to read that statement because the very next day He spoke.

Bread is not on my list of 7 foods this month. But a big, thick slice of homemade bread invades all my senses and makes my mouth water constantly. Oh, how I crave just one piece of that bread! As I was taking a long walk on day ten, I realized that not only was I craving literal bread, but I was craving spiritual bread too. I knew instantly that it was not just a coincidence, but a lesson in the making. You see, I grew up on bread. I was around it all the time. It was a staple at our family dinner table. Bread was always a part of my life and although it was important to me, there was no need to miss it or wish for more of it. What I had was satisfying and comforting. But as I have gotten older, I have noticed that even though bread is usually a part of my daily life, I don't each much of it. I've even tried different types of bread that end up being more processed or are filled with lots of extras that are supposed to make it more healthy. Hmmmm, ironic, isnt' it.

As I continued to walk, so many analogies of bread, Jesus and my life came flooding through my head. God was so clearly saying I need more of Him to satisfy my heart and soul...just like I am needing the real thing in my physical diet. John 6:35 talks about Jesus being the ultimate bread of life and that those who come to Him will never be hungry, but rather, they will be satisfied and crave no more. Jesus is to the soul what bread is to the body.

When I was a little girl, my grandparents had the phrase "give us this day our daily bread" painted in big letters on their kitchen wall. I am beyond grateful for the heritage I have in my life and for being able to grow up in a Godly home. But I'm a big girl now and I'm raising my own family. I pray that I can exemplify and live out a Godly, Jesus-loving, soul-satisfying relationship that only Jesus, the ultimate bread of life, can fulfill. This is a crazy seven month journey we are on but the daily sacrifice that "7" is bringing to my life will be well worth the lessons and motivations that are moving in my heart. Amen.

Half way seems like a long way from finished.. I'm feeling like I've learned the lesson of too much food, choices, indulgence... So can we skip to month two now where I get to wear my sweats all month and feel great about it? I'm thinking maybe this means I haven't fully embraced the whole idea of food simplification yet. However, I am praising God more for what I do have instead of complaining about what I am denied. And all of this space that I am creating void of distractions is giving the Spirit a clear path to my heart. And let me tell you, I am hearing Him loud and clear! It's painful I say!! My weaknesses and my shortcomings. My missed opportunities and half-hearted attempts. ALL coming to the fore front of my life. Lord help me (literally) for what will be left of me when these 7 months are up. Praying I will look a lot less like the "hot mess" that I am and begin to look a lot more like Him.

So Close.

Today marks the half way point of month one.  In an attempt to rid our lives of excess we are dedicating the next seven months to seeking God rather than things.   This month I am eating only seven foods.  Chicken, spinach, apples, cheese, wheat bread, avocado and Shakeology (this one might be cheating, but the seven of us agreed it could count as one item...don't judge).  Days one and two were really hard as I had to get through without coffee, but as the first weekend approached (and I had stopped thinking about coffee) I felt it would be smooth sailing.  I picked REALLY good things.  If I couldn't live off the items I chose without complaining, I had serious issues.  Well, guess what?  I have serious issues.  I've been counting down the days until March since the day we started.  Grilled chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese over a bed of sauteed spinach just simply isn't good enough for me.  I need pasta with a Caesar salad, turkey surprise (one of my specialties) and chocolate!  I'm dying without Thai food and don't know how much longer I can go without frozen yogurt.  I need variety.  I need more than chicken.  I'm sick of chicken!  I stop myself as my mind goes through the things I can't have, the things I need.  Need?  How pathetic am I for thinking I NEED frozen yogurt.  I have so much more than so many people.  I have decisions to make every day regarding meals even with only seven items.  What should I have for breakfast?  Should I bake the chicken now so I can shred it over a salad tonight for dinner?  Tears fill my eyes as I think of the children I share this city with that won't get dinner tonight. As I cry for those without choices, I cry for myself as well.  I cry because I don't think about how lucky I am to have the things I do.  I cry because I have turned luxuries into needs.  I cry because I'm not the only one.  Are you like me?  Do you think you need more when in truth you have too much?  Today not only marks the half way point, it also marks the day I decide to stop complaining.  Two weeks left of only seven foods.  Two weeks for me to thank God for providing me with the luxury of those seven foods.  My only hope is that I hold the thoughts of this month with me forever, that I always remember I have more than I need and that I continue to seek God when I think I need more.

Julie