It’s All In The Family

American humorist Erma Bombeck once said, “I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage.” Coming from the South, I can identify. Southern food culture taught me this: “If I love you, I will feed you — a lot!” And where did I often pile the most “love” on my plate? The church’s covered-dish luncheons in the fellowship hall! Nowhere else could I get fried chicken, chickenfried steak with sawmill gravy, sour cream mashed potatoes, with a side of spaghetti and meatballs. Then, of course, a “taste” of three different pies and some sweet tea to wash it all down. Boy, did it make the cooks happy to see my plate piled high! We called it “sharing the love.”

So began my perception that food equals love. But like any unfaithful lover, food cannot love back. Overeating made me feel defeated and incapable. Made to Crave chronicles my one-sided love affair with food and the distress it caused me. That is, until my ever-expanding waistline and dismay caused me to direct my heart elsewhere.

As I began searching the Scriptures, I discovered how God can point our hearts to him: “May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). And I found some beautiful truths that help me to redirect my heart every day:

Yes, we are only one good choice away from being back on the path of perseverance. But no matter how far off the path or how long we are on it, God is patient with us and loves us as a dearly beloved child—part of His family (Romans 8:16 – 17; Galatians 4:7).

This reminds me of a touching story shared by my friend Karen Ehman, who lost over a hundred pounds in the first stage of her journey toward health. Her friend, Tammy, saw a “before” picture and was encouraging Karen enthusiastically when Karen’s young son, Spencer, walked in. Tammy said, “Wow, Spencer, can you believe that was your mom? She’s lost so much weight. Doesn’t she look great?” In confusion, he looked back and forth between the photo and Karen and said, “Hmmm, they both look like Mama to me!”^a

We are loved as God’s special girls! No matter where you are in your struggle with healthy eating, God looks at you and says, “She still looks like my precious daughter to me!” He loves you just the way you are. But God loves you too much to leave you stuck in a state of defeat. You were made for so much more. You were made for victory.