I am quite certain that I could write a timeline of my life based on the book that I was reading during each phase. I am terribly, wonderfully affected by what I read. Knowing this, and fully aware of my extreme personality, my great friend, Becca Bruner, handed me the book "7" by Jen Hatmaker. 7 is "an experimental mutiny against excess". The seven areas that Jen chose to challenge herself on were food, clothing, possessions, media, waste, spending and stress.
Dave read the book first and immediately wanted to jump on the bandwagon. I was hesitant to even pick up the book knowing the conviction I was sure to feel after reading it. But, before I would let Dave lead us on a crazy journey, (I have control issues as well.) I needed to read it. If anyone was going to take this family to Crazy Town, it was going to be me dagnabbit!
So, I read it. I loved it. I wanted to meet Jen Hatmaker, go to her church, live next to her, be her best friend...
I was NOT going to post anything about it on facebook though. This was going to be my quiet little journey that I could quit at any time because Dave and I (and a few close friends who already know my quirks) would be the only ones who knew about it. AND, I was NOT going to do the food month!!
I have issues with food. I could live on white bread, crackers, peanut butter and Oreos. I hate spices and flavors of almost all kinds. I don't eat vegetables willingly, and I just ate the first strawberry of my life a few months ago. Some of you may have even been privy to my little experiments with "Green Monsters", Vegetarianism, and the ban on high fructose corn syrup. Some have lasted longer than others, and I am proud to say that a gross pink picture on facebook did permanently stop my family from eating at McDonald's about 6 months ago.
Then, Dave decided he was going to do the food month full force. He picked his seven items and even had a great talk with the kids about it. It was such a great talk that without any encouraging, 4 of the kids wanted to try "getting rid of stuff so that we can know God better". As my sister-in-law, Lisa McMorris, pointed out on facebook, I am a little bit competitive...especially with Dave. THEN, Dave posted on facebook about the journey. I was so inspired and convinced that we could do this as a family that I posted about it on facebook...on day #1. BIG MISTAKE! :)
Food month basically went like this:
Day #1: Yum, I love chicken and rice! Apples are so juicy, I could do this forever! (And when I don't want an apple, I will just have a banana. Easy Peasy! Yum eggs! Good thing strawberries and I are learning to be friends. Spinach and I are destined to get along whether we want to or not...and I AM going to use Ranch dressing even though it's not following the letter of the 7 law. This is going to be awesome!
Day #2 breakfast: Yay! Day 2!
Day#2 lunch: Seriously, the daycare kids are eating cinnamon waffles, and I could easily just pop one in my mouth. I LOVE cinnamon waffles. Every cabinet I open has wonderful, delicious, sweet carbs in it, and I want them all. So proud though, I talked myself down and ate my "7 lunch".
Day #2 dinner: Maybe I'll just skip dinner. I am tired of this food.
Day #3 morning: Woke up. Complained to Dave about how hard this is (for about 2 hours). He loves when I do this! Decided just to skip breakfast.
Day #3 lunch: Made the daycare kids quesadillas...I don't even really LOVE quesadillas, but they looked so buttery and yummy. Dave left the house to pick up my brother Cameron. I stood there contemplating eating a quesadilla and NOT TELLING HIM! Seriously, on this journey to open up my life to more of God and recognize where we let "stuff" get in the way of relationship with him, I was going to LIE to survive month one!! That was when I began to know this was not going to end well. I grabbed a quesadilla, announced to Chloe and Carter that "I am OUT!", and took a wonderful, delicious bite of non-7 food.
Day #3 dinner: Ate too much and felt sick. :(
Instantly I regretted having told anyone that I was trying this! Some of my dear, dear friends and family also know that I don't like to fail. Not that anyone really likes to fail, but I spend a great deal of my life purposefully avoiding situations where there is any possibility for me to fail. I quit volleyball in high school because I wasn't the best. I quit track for the same reason. I quit band because I wasn't naturally talented at playing the clarinet...after three weeks...never mind that I didn't practice. After that string of quitting, I just decided on some level that I would never again begin anything that I couldn't finish successfully. (Dave bought a Jeep in May...it's stick shift...I will NEVER let him teach me...I will NEVER drive the Jeep.)
Oh...maybe this is my lesson...maybe for me it wasn't about food at all. Maybe for me it was a good lesson in trying. That God! He always seems to remind us of the things that He needs us to learn rather than just letting us decided which lessons we are willing to learn.
I was also overwhelmed with love and support on facebook. I was reminded of the power of leading this crazy life, in our crazy ways, following Jesus (who many thought was a little crazy), in front of others. Whatever seeds may have been planted, I will let God tend to them.
Although I am remaining on a steady diet of "whatevertheheckiwant" for the rest of this month, I continue to reflect on my 3 days and pray that God will continue to lead me on this journey...where ever it takes me, and us as a family.
Dave is still going strong with brown rice, chicken, apples, spinach, eggs, almonds, and blueberries even though he has had a disaster with black beans, decided kale was disgusting and almonds aren't really "doing it for him". His menu may need to be tweaked a little, but I am so proud of his perseverance. This is the same guy that gave up his first true love, Pepsi, for an entire year. He has amazing strength!
Next month: Clothing
For an entire month we will wear only 7 items of clothing.
