IN CASE YOU WONDERED ABOUT FAT

 There are those of us who do late night or early morning musing when we cannot sleep.  NO--we do not have a guilty conscious--but suffer from old age lack of sleep hormones.  One of my dear walking buddies is slightly off center, but ALWAYS guaranteed to make me laugh.  Today's blog is NOT based upon any scientific study, but totally on her slightly warped thinking.  LORD!  YOU HAVE TO LOVE HER!

Almost daily we lament the spare tire we have found growing around our mid sections as we STROLL (notice I did not say powerwalk).  The pandemic gave us a jump start on storing fat in case we have a world wide famine.  She recently announced her latest NON-scientific theory on the fat we store.  I hear laughter burns lots of calories--I should be Twiggy soon after listening to her theories and stories.  Here is her explanation verbatim~

LEVELS OF FAT

There are four levels of fat:

1. Stay Puff Marshmallow Fat-  This should be self-explanatory.  This fat melts off with very little effort.  8-10 steps a day and less than 3,000 calories consumed per day and you are on your way to ridding yourself of this layer.

2.  Acquaintance Fat-  This fat is not really committed to you.  It can come and go with a small amount of effort.

3.  Family Fat-  This layer of fat LOVES you and wants to stay with you.  It wants to go with you to family reunions, vacations, --pretty much everywhere you go.  MUCH harder to get rid of.

4.  Holy Ghost Fat-  This level of fat evidently has been commanded by Jesus to stay and protect you.  It is by far the most difficult to be rid of.  Your need to walk 12-14 miles daily, eat one lettuce leaf only per day, and drink 6 gallons of water. 

Decide how much weight you need to lose and divide by 4 to determine how many pounds of each level you will need to shed.  

**Evidently I have a LOT of free time to even think of something so bizarre.

The Holy Ghost Fat---OH MY GOODNESS!  I told her we are all putting on reserves in case we have "The Big Illness" or the next World War or the afore mentioned world wide famine.  YEAH RIGHT--actually we have been ingesting too many Twinkies.

Side Note-I do not like Twinkies

NOW, I hope you enjoyed a laugh, but that is only part of the blog.  This sweet friend has endured one of life's hardest tragedies of losing her precious child.  And then a few years later, she almost lost her husband.  When we compare life stories of her childhood, they are strikingly similar and NOT "Ozzie and Harriet."  If anyone EVER had the right to become sunk head deep in the mire of grief and despair---it would be her.  BUT she will quickly tell you, "Anytime I begin to feel sorry for myself, I remember all those who have endured so much more."  She claims the joy of each and everyday and clings to Jesus tightly.  She inspires us all to live a better life.  What a wonderful legacy she will leave someday.

In my late night musings, I wonder if I am finishing well.  Are these final chapters going to bring the story to a joyful ending.  Will the story be an inspiration to anyone?  Thoughts for your late night thinking, Friends.

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children"

Proverbs 13:22

CROSSING THE FINISH LINE

Our sermon series on Jacob has concluded.  I must say, it has profoundly affected me, my thoughts, and my aspirations.  In seven short  weeks, God has taught me a tremendous lesson--about my relationship with Him.  I have been blessed by our pastor's teaching, my small groups, and discussion with dear ones helping me to cross several important hurdles.

What better way to finish anything--than to talk about The Finish Line--and what it looks like to cross it.   Jacob finally got it---after 130 years of pushing & pulling---deceiving--conniving- plotting--planning--running & hiding---the light bulb went off.  He finished well and left not only an inheritance to his off-spring, but also much more important- a legacy.

All those years of accounting taught me a valuable lesson concerning inheritances---they can bring out the very worst in people.  Be it money, property, or possessions--people can turn into green eyed monsters and become grabbers exactly like Jacob.  It can turn ugly fast when the splitting of the pie begins.

How many times did I see the money and the things of this world eventually fade away.  Here today and gone tomorrow and with their loss---no lasting effect remains.  "What we are chasing today is it worth leaving? How would tomorrow look different if you became concerned about leaving a legacy?"  What will be said about me when I am gone?  What lasting/eternal legacy am I leaving?

Jacob's lesson in a nutshell---it is not too late.  There is always hope.  Jacob, after 130 years, finally learned to bless those around him.  Finally Jacob understood---"God Almighty---Almighty God".   He left an inheritance as chronicled in the last verses of Genesis, but more important he left a legacy to his children, grandchildren, his servants, and those he came into contact.  He finally learned the importance of leaving a blessing---He kept on running and when he crossed his finish line---his legacy was eternal.

"The God before whom walked my fathers, Abraham and Isaac.

The God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this very day,

The Angel who delivered me from every evil,

Bless the boys.

May my name be echoed in their lives,

and the names of Abraham and Issac, my fathers.

And my they grow covering the Earth with their children."

Genesis 48:15-16

THE DAY TO DAY

I had a sweet young friend make a comment recently that she wants to do something really big---life changing--world altering.  She wants there to be more than getting through each day--she wants more.  A noble--profound desire which perhaps most of us have shared at some point in our life.  I am thankful that she started the wheels turning and gave me pause for introspection.

How many of us will be a Billy Graham, Mother Theresa, Chris Tomlin, Beth Moore, Brennan Manning, A.W. Tozer, and the long list of those great icons of the faith?  How many of us will have notable--timeless impact on this world that we live in?  What will our legacy be---what will be said about us at the end---what will we leave behind?

Each of those named above--did not begin with the notion of doing great things--they began with a dream, a talent, saw a need---something was in front of them and they worked to address that need--on that particular day.  Their greatness started in the normality of a day of their life.  Writing begins with penning one sentence.  Sermons begin with statements of faith.  Songs are written while playing a few notes on an instrument.  Souls are saved--one at a time.   The sick and poor are helped one at a time.  It all starts by acting on the one thing, the one need, the one soul---on a particular day---with no thought of greatness or life and world changing.  The greatness--the life and world changing--that is the by-product of playing one note, giving one sermon, writing one paragraph, nursing one poor sick person--it all starts with one.  Your greatness--is in living well--each and every day.  What more beautiful legacy than to have those that are your nearest and dearest and know you well remember your living life to the fullest -- one step at a time.

Our challenge in our day to day world is to treat each and every thing God places in our path as if it will indeed have a profound effect on that person and the world.  With each need we see before us, we give ourselves in service without thought---then we are changing the world--making a difference--leaving a legacy----One Step At A Time!

"Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as for the Lord, and not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward."

Colossians 3:23-24