What is it with fast food?
With the lifting from Level Four restrictions to Level Three, eager reporters are looking for interviewees. They are scanning the regions to find out the cravings and longings of locals who have suffered ‘withdrawal symptoms’ after five weeks in lock-down. Invariably, their answer involves ‘junk’ food; KFC, McDonald burgers, pizzas, and ‘real’ coffee fixes. I misjudged the local mood, hoping that weeks of wholesome home cooking would have whetted appetites for nourishing, balanced food. And the family togetherness around the dining table would be a good bonus from this enforced isolation we continue to observe. I would be delighted to have family share my solo bubble, to have their companionship over mealtimes. However, as widow, I have to settle for furry friends looking on longingly, hoping some morsels may drop from the table for them to do their duty and clean up.
There’s no harm in having a weekly treat of fast food, provided the balance of food consumed is not full fat, sugar or salt-laden.
Like most parts of life, we have choices for good and bad. So we each have the same amount of time every 24 hours to work through our tasks, nourish ourselves, exercise and relax. Balance is the thing we need for a successful life. We don’t have unlimited options, most of us have constraints on our budgets, time and energy, so it is a matter of prioritising.
I used to lug props into my classes, and one very effective lesson involved a huge old- fashioned clear glass sweet container. Into its wide mouth, I would put enough golf balls to reach the rim. Every student watched, and told me when it was full. Then I added sand which seeped into spaces between the balls, to the astonishment of the observers. It was a large amount of sand. “Is the jar full now?” I’d enquire, and the response was clear. That jar was full to the brim. Then came the stunner. I would lift a large pitcher of water from under my desk and slowly empty it into the jar. Balls and sand were soaked, and the ‘full’ jar’s contents absorbed it all!
Now came the unforgettable lesson. “The golf balls represent the important things in your life. God, your family, and your duties, are your top priority. Deal with them first. The sand represents your friends, social life, and sports which can fill the spaces around the ‘balls.’ If you crammed the sand in before the golf balls, they would deny space required for the really important things. Finally, the water that soaked into the ‘full’ jar represents the optional extras, which we enjoy.”
How are your ‘life- jars’ coping with Covid’s life-changing challenges? The demands of home schooling, living in isolation, and managing to live God-honouring lives? Like every other events we face, the Bible gives us directions to cope.
“Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness.s Then ALL these things will be added unto you.”
Do you recall the much loved Christian chorus, sung to the tune of ‘Jingle bells?’
J.O.Y, J.O.Y,
this is what it means.
Jesus first, Yourself last,
and Others in between’
That is my particular challenge for today, putting my own needs (and greeds) before those of others.
Be encouraged, readers We can use this enforced ‘ home-time’ to get consider our priorities, and to get to know God better.
May His blessings help you to thrive.
Rosemary Francis.
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