Deserving a Clean Start

On Friday evening January 15, 2016, my wife and I were shopping at our local Trader Joe’s (at Easton in Columbus, OH). I saw this sign above the cookies (in the refrigerated food’s aisle). “Treat yourself. You deserve it!” Is this slick bit of store advertising actually true in our everyday life? Do we all deserve to treat ourselves on a regular basis? Let’s look at the example below.

Forty year-old Larson is a changed man from what he was a year ago. Lifestyle alterations of diet and exercise haven allowed him to lose 100 pounds. He has more energy and seems to be more social (than he has in the past).

Recently, hard times have fallen on Lars, and he’s feeling that the bad comfort foods he loved before might be just what are needed to make him feel less stressed. (Buying something on his credit card, which is soon to reach its $50,000 limit, would make him feel at peace for at least a few hours.)

Larson’s wife of ten years, Helga, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, the couple’s miniature Poodle, Cotton Ball, died a month ago of old age, Lars job with Creative Endeavors, Inc, was downsized, and he is now unemployed.

Larson’s default mechanism for bad times like these was junk food. Will this really solve his life issues? No. As soon as he consumes the food, guilt and depression will be the overriding emotions? Does Larson deserve any of the stuff that has happened to him? I state, “Absolutely not.”

The productive thing to do would be finding a good cancer doctor for his wife, a counselor to help him deal with all his issues, and start searching the newspapers (and Internet) for employment.

My wife and I love to watch the Food Network’s American Diner Revival on Friday’s at 8:30pm. It is a reality show where a diner in desperate need of an interior and menu makeover gets that second chance for a second life (with the help of the community that loves them dearly).

By the conclusion of the show, you have that good feeling like you have just done something positive by viewing American Diner Revival. Somewhere in the show you will most likely hear some variation of the following statement from someone: “They really deserve this.” Chances are that is a true statement.

Let me state the obvious. Hundreds of diners have (probably) applied to be on American Diner Revival.  Only the stories that had TV appeal, and supplied the proper paperwork were chosen. It really didn’t have much to be with need, but what would raise ratings for the Food Network, which eventually equates to the bottom line of the almighty dollar.

Because of your age, economic value, or human worth how do you think others should treat you? Although the Heavenly Father simply cherishes you. Isaiah 64:4 (MSG) says how God sees all your acts of importance, “We’re all sin-infected, sin-contaminated. Our best efforts are grease-stained rags.”

The perfect Jesus is all you need for your imperfect life as He can make your heart whiter than snow (Philippians 4:19, Psalms 51:7). He wants to provide you with the pure authentic love, devotion, and respect you are craving (John 15:9).