Cold Turkey or Gradual Gluten

Trading instant results for gradual, healthy growth

Our dinner table was completely set only when the rice, gravy, and dinner rolls found places in the center. No matter the main dish, these three were expected. Now, my mother’s method for making rice involved one peculiar green pot, whose sole existence was to yield rice. The trick to such perfect, fluffy rice hinged on the precise amount of water, measured by the first line of my mother’s index finger. (WHAT?!) I had only been asked once to make the rice; I can’t imagine why. You can guess that the first item on my bridal registry was a rice cooker!

Somehow cooking came naturally; stocking my pantry was an entirely different story. In those early years, I found great freedom in buying whatever my brain craved! There was no shortage of brownies, cookies, pastries, and CEREAL! I discovered the bliss of ciabatta and focaccia breads for any or every meal! That is, until digestive issues surfaced. I was strongly advised to remove gluten from my diet. (I’d never heard of her before.)

My dearest friend, and nutrition guru, agreed to help me overhaul my pantry. Painstakingly, I emptied all of my lovely loaves onto the counter. And, as most of you know, the inspection didn’t end there. What was I supposed to eat? Was I supposed to feed all this to my dog? I felt LeAnn’s country heart-cry, “How do I live without you…How could I ever, ever survive?”

After a week of no’s and not-gonna-do-its, I caved. I decided a slow start would be a better start if my break-up with bread was going to stick. And, the expense of a pantry make-over solidified this decision. This would be a marathon of dietary adjustments. No magic pill or quick fixes; no cold-turkey quitting for this girl!

The gluten saga lives on without all the drama. I can indulge in small doses without too much discomfort when it’s unavoidable—or just too tempting.

I’m so thankful that God’s mercies allow for gradual change. From that moment we surrendered to Jesus, we became new creations. (2 Corinthians 5:17) New creations that needed time to grow and develop. Our walk with Jesus, like my break-up with bread, is not an instant result or quick process. Best of all, God does not stand there with impatient arms folded, tapping his foot, while we get our act together. He doesn’t require a wrecking-ball conversion where we strip ourselves of every old habit, sin, and flaw before we can approach Him.

This isn’t a crash-diet conversion! And this is exactly why I am not God. He is so rich in mercy and abounding in love. His kindness never ceases. We will continue to need as Savior as long we are breathing. Becoming a disciple is a process where we continue to come to Jesus. We offer all of who we are: mistakes, victories, fears, and scars.

In our holiday season, might we consider a slow approach to our families and friends? As we give thanks and express our gratitude during our traditions, let’s remember how patient and longsuffering the Lord is with us.

Reflection

1. Describe a season where you depended on Jesus as your “living hope.”

2. Have you ever gone “cold-turkey?” How are your physical habits related to or influenced by your spiritual health?

3. In what area are you needing new mercies?

Goals

Set 3 realistic and practical goals that will help you grow gradually each day.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”

(1Peter 1:3-4 NLT)

“Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.”

(2 Corinthians 4:1 NLT)

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning…The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,”

(Lamentations 3:23, 25 NIV)