Smaller amounts, less often

I am on day 25! This means I'm 1/4 of the way through this book! woohoo! I'm so stoked. Today the book talked about how to still eat your favorite foods, and to not feel deprived. The solution? "smaller amounts, less often." Instead of eating a 20 piece chicken nugget every day, you say instead, I'll eat at 10 piece once a month instead. That way you won't overindulge because you feel like you're deprived.

I have found that this type of eating is the BEST for me. I don't say no to a lot of things. I put a lot of thought into "do I really need this?" but ultimately, if I want something, I will allow myself to have it. But, I have been really good at only taking a small serving. So, a couple of doritos, one fry, half of a krispie kreme, etc. It's hard for me to completely resist something, so I work with my body and mind instead of against it. For things like brownies and ice cream, I sub in "skinny brownies and ice cream." I've decided that I don't really care about real brownies, so I'm just gonna go with the "fake" ones. And that's been great for me.

Surprisingly enough, my meat of choice has been chicken lately. I usually am super into beef but chicken has been healthier and I don't find myself missing the beef that much. It's weird. Although one of these days I know I'll crave a steak and have to get one. Anyway, I liked this chapter. It reinforced some habits I've already taken on :)

I just want to say that Romans is a LONG book. I'm ready to move on and there's still 3 chapters left haha. Oh well, it has treated me well thus far :)

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law...Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. SO let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not i sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Romans 13:8,10-14

I really like the first part of letting the only debt left standing be love. It just is kind of a cool image for me. I also love when it says "the hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believe. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here." Thinking of the end times and Jesus coming back has always kinda stirred up sick, fearful thinking for me. But this stirs up excitement, and anticipation. And it makes me think of the here and now. The fact that I'm understanding God more, so my salvation is "coming nearer." And that my dark hours are becoming less and less, and that my days will be sunnier and sunnier. And that one day, there will be light all the time. That's kinda beautiful to think about.

I feel like this Bible reading has made me more open to seeing God in life and hearing him speak to me. It's been...wonderfully guilty free, and I feel like I'm growing and learning and blooming. God is good. He is faithful and kind. I'm so glad he loves me and considers me worthwhile. I'm glad he knows me.