Month: September 2017

When Food Doesn’t Satisfy

Posted on by Country Girl Homestead

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Let’s face it! We not only desire food, we need it to survive!

But what happens when that food doesn’t satisfy us?

This dissatisfaction is usually an emotional one and if not dealt with, can manifest itself in a number of ways – such as bulimia, anorexia or compulsive eating.

To often we don’t know why or even understand the reason we give in to our unhealthy eating habits.

For example…

All my life, I have struggled with being overweight. I have tried many different weight loss plans, and even lossed weight… But, as soon as I lost the weight, I reverted to my old habits and gained all the weight back, and then some!

Why?

Well, in my case, I am an emotional eater… And when I am depressed, I really eat!

The reason – I look to food to find comfort!

I won’t go into detail about the reasons why I succumb to food for comfort – that’s a post for another day – just suffice it to say, the root cause of my emotional eating stems from a very poor self image.

Once I realized the hidden reason behind my unhealthy eating habits, I started looking at things differently…

First, I had to ask myself, ‘Do I want to be made well?’ — ‘Am I ready to face the truth?’ — Am I ready to give up this flawed thinking, and do what is necessary to get healthy?’

The road to reclaiming my health is not an easy one… I am fighting emotional demons…

Finding the willpower to overcome first takes the desire to be made well.

My faith, my trust in God, who is faithful and true to help me in this battle will help me overcome those demons…

I will lose the weight… and KEEP it off!

I am providing the will… others will provide encouragement… and He provides the power…

I can do this!

Until next time, eat healthy!

~ Sheri

 

 

Let the Healing Begin!

Posted on by Country Girl Homestead

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DO YOU WANT TO GET WELL?

Do you ever have times when you have felt that you just ‘didn’t get it?’ You know, where sometimes you have to hear something a couple of times… Or maybe many, many times before the light bulb in your head clicks on?

As I sat in church this past Sunday, once again, the story of a man who was sick for 38 years was brought to my attention…

Back in the days when Jesus walked the earth, there was a pool… and at certain times, an angel would stir the waters… The first person to step into the water, after the water was stirred, would be healed of whatever disease they had! How cool is that?!?

One day, Jesus saw this man who had been sick for 38 years and asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?

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EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES!

I would have thought that the man would have answered with a resounding “YES!”

However, he did not…

Instead, he gave Jesus excuses as to why he couldn’t get into the pool.

This got me to thinking. How many times do we make excuses for not taking better care of ourselves?

I know in my own life, I struggle with eating healthy. I know what I should eat, but I make excuses as go why I can’t go without those unhealthy foods!

But as I continued to listen to the story of this man, it came with a new twist…

Our pastor asked us a question. Why didn’t he just say yes? Why did he make excuses? Was it because he was comfortable in his situation? Had he become so used to people taking care of him, that being healed, he might actually have to live a healthy and productive life?!? Perhaps he enjoyed being taken care of… perhaps it was more comfortable for him to wallow in self pity…

This made me stop and wonder… Were there any underlying reasons keeping me from eating healthy…

I’ll share with you next time what I uncovered.

Till then, eat healthy!

~ Sheri

 

Tilling the Soil

Posted on by Country Girl Homestead

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With camera in hand, I went outside. I found it to be unseasonably chilly for August weather. As I walked to a favorite spot overlooking our small farm, I could feel drops of rain coming to rest on my face. As the sun struggled to peek through the clouds, I could see the fog was beginning to clear… I needed to get my shot before the opportunity was lost.

As I stood, focusing the lens on my camera, I smiled as the weather reflected the image of the ‘fog’ that was beginning lift in my mind, allowing my thoughts to become clear…

For months now, I’ve been struggling… A sort of midlife crisis, if you will… You know, that state of mind you find yourself in when you’re not exactly sure what to do…

Finances were always at the top of my ‘grocery list’ of prayer requests. But what I kept seeing and hearing during my morning quiet times was, ’till the soil.’

I remember thinking to myself, ‘That’s great Lord, but how do I make any money tilling the soil?’

Not knowing what he meant, I began seeking an income away from the homestead…

On the day that I was to have an interview, I wound up getting a wake up call…

As I sought his leading and direction, I remember saying, ‘Lord, I don’t feel you telling me that I shouldn’t go to this interview, so I’m going… If this isn’t your will, shut the door… Your will be done, not mine.’

Mom told me that I sounded upbeat and positive about the possibility of this job… But, on my way to the interview I got stuck in traffic. As I sat there waiting for the vehicles in front of me to start moving again, the tractor trailer directly in front of me started to back up… The driver never saw me… At least not until after the damage was done…

However, I am very grateful!

It could have been worse… A LOT worse!

Shaken from the experience, I found myself wondering, ‘Why, Lord?

My Creator begin to show me scriptures about tilling the soil and about preparing meals for others. And, about how we can share our hearts and lives with others, even if the meal is simple and the setting is humble. Simply by doing these things, it says to others, ‘I care about you, I love you, and I have prepared a place for you.’

I believe that as each door closes on job opportunities away from the home, my Creator is showing me that I need to trust him more!

He is building my faith.

Faith means to trust… to believe… having trust or confidence in God to take care of my needs!

Just as tilling the soil prepares it by digging, stirring and overturning, which creates air pockets that allow air and water access to plants… God is ‘preparing’ me for something bigger…

He is digging up all the things in me that keep me from walking into the life He has planned for me. He is stirring my heart with the desire of growing and raising our own food… And, he is cultivating a new vision of what this farm is to be used for…

I’m not completely sure what that vision looks like so, I will put my trust in him… He knows what he is doing!

For now, I will put my faith into action and till the land while the weather allows… and, I will use our produce to create delicious, healthy meals for the family!

Till next time,

Sheri