Are You Putting to Much In?

For the first time in a long time, not a one of our pets is overweight, not even the oldest dog that never misses a meal and spends a majority of her time sniffing for snacks.

I think it’s because at the end of the summer there’s been many trail rides, hikes, outings and less regular meal times – maybe it’s the fur and hair is thinner and we can see the body under the coat.

All I know is that the animals we have are the healthiest ever and that makes me glad – we’re healthy too for which I’m grateful. However we’re not the thinnest we’ve been – so the fact must be we are taking in more than we are using – and the surplus is not being used effectively.

This can happen easily and quickly.

A.J. Nock said, “The mind is like the stomach. It is not how much you put into it that counts, but how much you digest.”

This struck me as wise – regardless of our stomach size, or how much we eat, read, absorb and take in – how are we digesting it?

For our bodies – it’s a good call to take in only what we can use –

For our minds – it’s the same – continuing to put more in our minds without some plan to use the knowledge or experience is wasteful –

So today there are two things to consider:

First – Am I filling my stomach with more than I need? If that’s a yes – you have choices

Second – Am I filling my mind with more than I will use? If that’s a yes – it’s also a choice: to use it, or reflect on it – so that we are functioning at our best – inside and out.

Today – before you put anything in – stop a moment to determine if it’s something you’ll use.

Friday funny…

The pastor asked if anyone in the congregation would like to express
praise for answered prayers. Suzie Smith stood and walked to the
podium. She said, “I have a praise. Two months ago, my husband, Tom,
had a terrible bicycle wreck and his scrotum was completely crushed.
The pain was excruciating and the doctors didn’t know if they could
help him.” You could hear a muffled gasp from the men in the
congregation as they imagined the pain that poor Tom must have
experienced. “Tom was unable to hold me or the children,” she went on,
“and every move caused him terrible pain. We prayed as the doctors
performed a delicate operation, and it turned out they were able to
piece together the crushed remnants of Tom’s scrotum, and wrap wire
around it to hold it in place.” Again, the men in the congregation
cringed and squirmed uncomfortably as they imagined the horrible
surgery performed on Tom. “Now,” she announced in a quivering voice,
“thank the Lord, Tom is out of the hospital and the doctors say that
with time, his scrotum should recover completely.” All the men sighed
with unified relief. The pastor rose and tentatively asked if anyone
else had something to say. A man stood up and walked slowly to the
podium. He said, “I’m Tom Smith.” The entire congregation held its
breath. “I just want to tell my wife the word is sternum.”