Whatever is Pure, Inspiring Christian Poetry, Devotionals and Testimonies November 2008

"Chew each bite twenty times before swallowing. Put your fork down on your plate between each bite. Don't shovel your food!" Sage advice such as this has been given by generations of parents at dinner tables across the world. Medical studies back up this advice. Those who eat quickly and do not chew their food well are at higher risk of obesity. Eating too quickly means the body will consume more calories than it requires before the brain feels fed and suppresses the appetite. Chewing food releases enzymes in the mouth that aid the digestive process and again, helps to suppress the appetite.

Too often, frustrated cooks watch with dismay as meals that took hours to prepare are devoured in mere moments. Carefully seasoned casseroles and soups are not tasted before salt and ketchup are poured on liberally. Colourful salads and artistically arranged vegetable dishes are met with disdain as children and husbands ask if there is any dessert. Teens would rather eat instant noodles in front of their video games or homework. Adults would rather munch on chips as they watch the news or chat on their cell phones. Children are handed a juice box and a sweetened granola bar, as they are loaded into a minivan on their way to soccer practice. As mothers stop off at the local coffee shop for a coffee and a doughnut, they berate themselves for such poor nutritional habits. It is easy to understand why many home chefs turn to fast food take-out menus rather than cherished cookbooks.

Unfortunately, our fast food, fast-paced culture has become a snare to many modern Christians. As we weave through our work schedules, church responsibilities and home life, we are too busy looking toward the next activity or responsibility to give our full attention to the present moment. By lunchtime, we are focused on tomorrow's calendar and we are hard pressed to remember what we ate for breakfast, no matter what we read in the Word that morning. We are so busy looking for the next exit along the superhighway of life that we have no idea where we have been.

The Lord reminded me of Psalm 34:8 by bringing me back to a cherished memory that took place in 1985. I joined a group of fellow missionaries on a pleasure trip. We had heard of a small town about four hours away that sold wonderful handicrafts and as my time in the country was ending, I looked forward to the opportunity of buying some gifts to bring home. As we drove further into the countryside, rice paddies gave way to rolling hills and lush forests. As we reached the top of one particularly steep incline, I was met with one of the most beautiful landscapes I had ever seen. I whipped out my camera and took a desperate snapshot, knowing I did not have the time to set up proper composition for the frame. In the split second it took for our van to navigate around the bend as we headed down the other side of the hill, I willed myself to slow that moment in my mind and to capture every detail of the breathtaking vista. I saw that view for a scant two seconds, yet over 20 years later I can remember every vivid detail of the valley, the lush vines and the flora covered rock formations.

I didn't allow that moment to slip past me like a half-chewed bite of hamburger. I savoured every morsel of the gift God gave me that day and I have used that same technique over the years. I don't need a photo at hand or a note to jostle my memory; those treasures are engrained deep in my heart, embossed by grateful attentiveness.

God calls me to "Taste and see that He is good." I can only taste of his goodness if I take the time to savour that goodness, discovering and acknowledging all the flavours and nuances of his goodness, even if the flavours of that particular moment might be unfamiliar to my spiritual 'palate'. In order for this to happen, I must make the mindful effort to remain in the present moment; whether that be in reading his word, talking with a friend, listening to a sermon or enjoying his creation. Physical food nourishes us best when slowly and mindfully eaten and the same holds true with those truths he speaks to our hearts.

A chaos common to all mankind,
that subtly tries to stifle joy.
Errands, work, the daily grind,
a silent respite we try to find
avoiding things that cause annoy.

If I choose to lean on me
I fail to find the peace I seek.
But when I lean upon your Word,
I know my prayer for peace is heard,
your strength made perfect when I'm weak.

The pressure can become so great
to know what "makes the world go round."
World news, Politics, the social scene
The quagmire of a twisted dream,
where no peace is ever found.

Instead, I'll lift my eyes to you
then bow my head in silent prayer.
It's then I know I'm not alone,
for you still sit upon the throne
and all I need to know is there.

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The oil of blessing, root of praise,
The seasoning salt, the honeyed sweet,
The secret of full and joyous days,
The sums that make our life complete,
The light and beauty of every phrase,
Transformer of the darkest mood --
All this, and more, is gratitude.

Introduction
In the 22 years we've lived in Brazil (as of Nov. 28), I can count on one hand the times we've celebrated Thanksgiving in the US with our larger family. While we've missed that, I trust we've not lost the spirit of the holiday.

I've not done justice today to the excellent choice of gratitude, but perhaps you may take away from this edition a keener appreciation of this marvelous quality.

Choice Thought
Gratitude for what I have, for who I am, for the God I know, injects joy into life, hope into faith, meaning into the moment.

Choose Gratitude
Brazil has a Thanksgiving Day, but few know it and fewer know when it is. It's no holiday, but another tacky special day invented by politicians to stroke constituencies. It arrives unnoticed and passes unobserved.

Thanksgiving is a big deal in the US, because it has Christian underpinnings. Check the history books that haven't been politically revised.

My non-religious friends and subscribers forgive me, but divorced from God, gratitude is impossible. There is no one to thank. Demanding one's rights replaces thankgiving.

One writer said he owed the world his gratitude. Excuse me, but without God, the world simply is. It has no intent, no plan, no purpose, no giving. So you just take what's there and grab for more.

But true gratitude results from recognizing that a gift of value has been offered. Deliberately. Kindly.

Gratitude knows the gift was given from love, offered as one's best, one's finest, from the possibilities one had at hand.

Gratitude recognizes that the gift was what was needed, that the giver took his needs into account.

Gratitude knows reciprocity, it is the gift given in return for the giver's generosity. So I respectfully differ with the gentleman who wrote, "we are not really giving thanks—we give nothing—we are only responding with properly grateful hearts that are due the Gift Giver."

As such, gratitude often is more than words, but the return of love which, while accepting the gift, also wants to be on the "more blessed" side of giving.

The grateful person has a sense of timing. Too soon he proffers the thanksgiving, he may appear not to want to be in debt (read, in relationship) to the giver. Too late, he shows disdain.

Thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude. Without thanksgiving, gratitude withers and dies.

Thanksgiving may be the counting of blessings, but also the momentary savoring of a single blessing.

Gratitude does not discriminate by showing gladness only at the good. In trials and sorrows it sees room for growth, opportunity to steel one's fortitude, opening to serve and bless.

The grateful heart is thankful for what is. Only from the strength of gratitude can one consider what might be.

Choose gratitude, today and every day, and listen to yourself say thanks to God and to many in your life who have touched you with goodness and grace, with light and life.

You must email the author to gain permission to use these articles before using or copying it in any media format including email, blog, print or electronic form.

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