Show Me The Way

Psalm 16

The first thing I did at daybreak on Easter morning (actually after our Sunrise Service after daybreak) is break my fast. During Lent I had given up all sweets - cookies, candies, cake, pie, donuts, ice cream, etc. I did it because I thought it wouldn't be as difficult as giving up something I really like, such as rice, and to support my wife who was recently told by her doctor to watch her sugar intake.

The first 10 days went okay, as I honestly don't have a sweet tooth, but as time went on I really began to miss my occasional dessert. Towards the end I found myself craving something sweet every night. What started out as a relatively easy commitment became very difficult to maintain. But I did it, and on Easter morning I broke that fast with the most amazing Oreo Cookie donut I have ever ate.

Continuing my fast-break over the last two nights I've also eaten desserts after dinner, and I must be honest and say I'm not happy about the results. I am a diabetic, and my blood sugar runs highest in the morning. Over the six weeks of Lent my morning blood sugar counts have been lowering, only to have sky-rocketed the last two days. I'm not happy, but, I know why. Things have been made clearer to me - a path has opened for me.

Sometimes it takes a clear vision, one not clouded by our wants and desires, to see what are better choices for us. Sometimes we have to go down an unfamiliar path to see what lays ahead for us. That path might start out easy, but things will get more difficult and obstacles will come in our way. All we can do, really, is keep finding ways to move forward by overcoming those obstacles, and to trust in our guide to show us the best way to reaching our goals.

We are in Eastertime, the 50-day period before the Pentecost. Eastertime is when we hear the stories of how Jesus continued to show his disciples how to overcome the obstacles in their path. As we travel this time together let's keep an eye out for those obstacles which keep us from moving forward, as well as watch for how God is working in our lives.

As for me, for now anyway, I think I better get back to no sweets, or at least better controlling how much I eat.