LIFE IS A BUFFET

LIFE IS A BUFFET; CHOOSE WISELY

This thought came to mind this morning as I lay in bed, unable to go back to sleep. A situation occurred yesterday with the children when I was eating something and they asked for some. My intention was not to give them any (a parent must be able to enjoy some things by themselves). Their request pricked my conscience and I decided to "share." Then after giving them each a bite, I proceeded to finish it and they asked for some more. Of course I became irritated and regretted giving them any in the first place.

As I lay in bed this morning, the situation came back to my mind and the realization that my lack of self-denial has influenced the children. I feel that I must have everything my heart desires, regardless of whether it's beneficial or healthful or not.

We were at a church potluck and each side of the table had various visually appetizing selections of the same kinds of food (starch, vegetable, meat substitute and salad). My children wanted to try everything from both sides as we've grown accustomed to doing. I was impressed in that moment, that this was not a healthful practice, so I instructed them accordingly. Of course when they went back for seconds with my permission, they ended up at the other side of the table to "sample" the other foods before I realized what they were doing. My conscience was dull to what just happened--until now.

My epiphany: life is a buffet. It has many opportunities and offerings, some good and some evil or put like Paul, "not expedient"; some have immediate outcomes while others have eternal consequences. We shouldn't have it all. We should choose wisely. We should choose only those things that are beneficial and healthful for us as the Lord directs us. In so doing, we model and teach our children also, that they should not have everything that they want.

This lesson, if learned early, will save us, and them, from many hurtful situations and will secure us a place among the faithful, for self-denial is a key ingredient in the gospel of salvation.

Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God [thought equality with God as something to be grasped]*: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)


*emphasis added