Yesterday I had to fast for 12 hours before a blood test to measure cholesterol, etc. Not, I might add, the best time of year to be tested for high cholesterol, but surprisingly, my doctor doesn’t care to hear my excuses and stalling tactics. So I resigned myself to doing without my morning coffee and breakfast even while I was finishing up some Christmas baking. Yes, I deserve a medal.
It wasn’t a great morning…I was grumpy, sluggish and feeling haunted by a large “to do” list, topped off with the opportunity to wait in the doctor’s office for what felt like hours. Then I came home to a chicken sandwich, with two cups of coffee and felt my outlook brightening with each bite and sip. It occurred to me as I began whirling around the kitchen that I am very tied to the food I eat. When I don’t have food, I begin to sink, both physically and mentally. Nothing seems too possible, and everything is difficult. Half an hour after eating, I become this productive and relatively (let’s be realistic here) optimistic person.
To be honest, I rarely have to worry about this. Every day I have a choice of healthy foods to eat and my stomach hardly ever grumbles from hunger.
How, I asked myself, does someone living in poverty get the strength to not only provide for present needs, but plan for the future? If you don’t have enough to eat, or anything healthy to eat, can you muster up the energy to pull yourself and your family out of the poverty cycle?
At one point I was the Exec Director of a nonprofit that tried to feed, clothe and house hungry children in different parts of the world. We raised funds for the immediate needs, and brainstormed ways to make the future bright and sustainable. It was good work, and I miss having that direct connection to problem-solving, creative caring.
While I’m worrying this year about eating too many desserts and not finding time to exercise, others are wondering if they’ll have anything to eat
I don’t really have a great way to end this post. Maybe a question…how do we live our lives and integrate a heart for the welfare of others?tomorrow. It’s just so…bizarre. And terribly wrong.
God bless us, every one.
