It’s been another day of grateful abstinence. This is Day Four.
As I take my evening cuppa I wonder what has changed. My mind feels like a switch has flipped. The lights are back on. My gut tells me it has something to do with the way that I have been consistently practicing Psalm 23… as a conversation with myself.
Each day it’s a little different. Here’s approximately the way it came to me this morning.
A Psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. When I let G-d lead me, I will not suffer craving.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. When I take Quiet Time, my mind becomes clear. The mud settles.
He restoreth my soul; He guideth me in straight paths for his name’s sake. When I keep walking, one step at a time, along a straight and honest path, I feel my connection to G-d. I feel refreshed.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Even though life keeps happening, I’m not afraid; because You are always here; and Your disciplines keep bringing me back to peace.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over. You keep challenging me by tempting my weaknesses; and, at the same time, You nourish me completely and keep me growing from strength to strength.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. There is always goodness and mercy in the world; and I will live in Your house — which is my body — in fellowship with You, all of my days.
I continue to take it on faith that this particular 12-step recovery program for food addicts is right for me. I will keep coming back.
Love & Light,
Valerie
Photo: Jeroen van der Spek
Again our lives take a twist together. I’ve been struggling with a diet prescribed for acute gastritus and an esophagus condition that may be linked to food allergies. The list of what I can eat is very, very limited and I’ve taken one step forward and two steps back for weeks now. when I’m in crises, I don’t eat at all. As soon as I begin to feel better, I digress. Your words remind me of the dignity inherent in honoring our body and health with enlightened decisions. As my relationship grows with you I remain amazed at how your presence is always, uncannily on time.
A Cup of Kindness will surely take my hand in this new journey to wellness.
In appreciation…Janice
Dear Janice, Thank you for sharing your story, your awareness and your kind words. Many of my fellows in this program recount their stories of gastritis and esophagitis before eating this way and the complete recovery from those conditions in a very short period of time. I believe that cutting out all flours and all sugars (including artificial sweetener) is absolutely necessary; and the balanced portions in our weighed and measured meals seems to be just right. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to support you in your new journey to wellness. Love & Light, Valerie
Valerie, congratulations as you continue your journey! My thoughts and prayers are always with you.
I really like your interjections and the meaning for you, and really all of us, in the 23rd Psalm! I have been reading/saying the 23rd Psalm as long as I can remember, but I had never stopped to REALLY think what each phrase meant to me personally. I have always understood the Psalm, but reading your blog gave it new meaning and made it very personal. Thank you!!
Hi Theolyn, Thank you for your congratulations, your thoughts and your prayers. It’s been quite a “journey” as you say. Love & Light, Valerie