Kids & Parenting

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Last Sunday after church it was just me and the kiddos since my husband was delivering communion to "shut-ins." Rather than come home and try to scrounge up lunch while the kids impatiently reminded me how hungry they are, I decided to skip on over to the McDonald's drive-thru for a special treat. The kids liked it too. Two kid's meals and a number 12 later we were all feasting on our burgers and fries--except for Elizabeth, my 17-month old. She got peanut butter and raisins (don't worry, she didn't care).

I recently read a post on one of my favorite blogs--one of those blogs where I read it and think "I'll never be able to be THAT healthy", but it's nice to think about. Well, on it I read a confession..white tortillas, canned soup, oh my! I must say, it felt good to see that even the health gurus I look up to cheat sometimes.

Why? Because just as we can be slaves to unhealthy eating, we can easily become slaves to nutrition. We should only be slaves to righteousness. I enjoy cooking. It is a joy for me to come up with fun ways to feed my family healthy meals and snacks. This morning we made healthy whole wheat donuts. Yes, healthy donuts. It was fun. The kids loved it. When my parents or my in-laws come to visit, the kids will inevitably be eating the real thing, sugar coated and all. And that's ok too.

What's my point? Healthy eating is important and I prefer to maintain it as the standard for me and my family. But deviations are ok. Guilt free deviations, even! I am passionate about wholesome eating habits and uncovering the ignorance surrounding the question, "what is healthy." But, I routinely must remind myself that it shouldn't be a source of stress. When seeking to provide healthy meals for my family begins to become a source of anxiety and burden, something is wrong. Or if I panic when someone gives my child a cupcake or someone else is making their tortillas homemade and I suddenly feel overcome with guilt and fear because I bought mine at the store, something is wrong. When I begin to critically examine everyone else's eating habits and feel smug and self-righteous about my own, something is wrong. God is no longer pleased with my wholesome eating because the motivation of my heart has become corrupt.

Ultimately I can feed my family and myself the best I know how, but God alone is in control. Only He can maintain their health. Only He can feed their spirit. I have freedom because my trust isn't in what I do or don't do, eat or don't eat, but in Him and Him alone. I feel accountable to make responsible choices regarding the nourishment of my family, but I also feel freedom to deviate when God has placed a greater priority in front of me. I can be blessed and encouraged by being wise in health and nutrition, but also free and uncondemned! Let God be your guide in nutrition and all things!

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