Friday, August 19, 2016

When I am Weak, I am Strong

1peter221.wordpress.com

“This is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in my weaknesses,
 in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I a weak then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
Paul did not let adverse events get him down. Yes, those who did not like him and others who feared him targeted him. He experienced shipwreck, imprisonment, lack of funds, the wrath of his former fellow believers dedicated to persecuting the followers of Christ, and disbelief of those he once persecuted. He turned those experiences over to God to let Him deal with them.
When I had to go on a restrictive diet two years ago, I was scared. Here is why:
1.) I was not sure it would work or if I could stay on it.
2.) I did not think I would have an easy time finding food I could eat.
3.) I was not sure my family and my friends would understand.
That next Sunday, I was getting ready to go to church. I realized the change this diet would make in my eating habits. I found myself praying, “I can’t do this by myself, Lord. I need You to help me do this.”
            God has helped me follow this meal plan. (A diet has an ending time; a meal plan is life-long)
1.) That Sunday was Communion Sunday. During the serving of the bread, the pastor said, “Gluten-free bread is available if you require it.”

2.) When our son came in from out of state for a visit a few days later, we prepared to go to our friend’s pond and fish. We took my meds for this condition and our food. We bought an extra cooler to accommodate our needs.

3.) People at our church know of my diet. I heard of at least four others who are on the same diet, one young girl is on a more restrictive version.

4.) I chose not to attend my 50th-year high school reunion that fall. I had a Facebook friend, a friend from church, and a classmate I ran into at the grocery store said they missed me at that party. When I said the words, ‘restrictive diet’, they all seemed to understand. When I told the Facebook friend, I said, “I am on a gluten-free diet.” She responded that she teaches with a woman who is on the same diet.

God has been with me, working on my behalf, making me stronger in my resolve, my practice, and my relationship with Him.

Now it is time for me to unplug for a while. I will be away from my blog until September 5th.


6 comments:

  1. Sounds like you did the wise thing: "Help me, Father!" And he came through for you. I'm happy he's proven in this way how much he loves and cares for you.
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jeanette, I have learned that all we have to do is seek His aid in all things that beset us. Most things with which we are faced are too big for us to handle by ourselves.

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    2. Thank you for your kind thoughts.

      Delete
  2. My cousin has to be gluten free. Not only does that include reading labels but knowing what is in the ingredients that are on the list. If I find a snack that I know she can eat, I'll buy a bunch for her. I've also noticed that a lot of the products in the grocery stores are gluten free, but I still check the ingredients list just in case what they think is gluten free, really isn't,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have some friends who are also gluten-free. They have trouble with soy sa uce. When we were with friends last Satuday, we ate at a Chinese restaurant. There on the table was a bottle of soy sauce that listed the ingredients. The second one listed was wheat. WHo would have thought.

      Delete
    2. I have some friends who are also gluten-free. They have trouble with soy sa uce. When we were with friends last Satuday, we ate at a Chinese restaurant. There on the table was a bottle of soy sauce that listed the ingredients. The second one listed was wheat. WHo would have thought.

      Delete

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