Stress-free Holidays NIV: Proverb 17:1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.

MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: These words recommend family love and peace, as needful for the comfort of human life. There may be peace and quietness where there are not three meals a day, provided there be a joint satisfaction in God's providence and a mutual satisfaction in each other's prudence. Love will sweeten a dry morsel, but strife will sour and embitter a house full of dainties.

MY OBSERVATIONS: My mind wanders to past holidays when family gathered here. I would cook huge portions of food and endless dishes, being tired already by the time company began to arrive. One by one our small home would begin to fill with people, each arriving without bringing anything but their appetites. Everyone was already on edge from the long ride (we live in the "boonies"), and from the holiday traffic. One particular holiday, the weather was beautiful. The children all were too busy to come to the dinner table (we have a stocked pond, trails in the woods, 5 dogs to be played with, endless exploration), and consequently dinner was served many times individually. That year, we ran out of dressing before everyone got a portion, and the complaints were unwarranted. One step-daughter announced she had to lie to her maternal grandmother regarding spending the holiday with us--she didn't want her to be upset or jealous. Angers flared, as I have a standing policy, to have no television playing when there is company. I believe in conversation, not the endless drone of a TV set. This was always the "law", but this particular holiday some desired to protest. The whole holiday had such negativity, and the only saving grace was literally when we all (like it or not) had to gather for the dinner prayer. Needless to say, that was the last year I hosted a holiday dinner. This year my husband and I went to church twice on Easter day. We ate a wonderful grilled salmon, potato and salad for dinner, and he isn't even dieting. There were no tempting fat-laden leftovers, no endless stack of dirty dishes, broken objects, and hurt feelings to deal with. And Easter, truly was a celebration this year of the resurrection. We will do the same for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.

Thank You, Lord for restoring to me the true meaning of the holidays by removing me from all the dainties, feasting and strife. Thank You for the wisdom and guidance of Christ Jesus and the experience of being so near to Him. Thank You, Lord, for each and every day of peace and love we have. Amen

NIV: Proverb 17:24 A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

My Observations: My weight problem came into being as I let my eyes wander over the dainties of food. Sticking to the right choices are easier now, not because dainties still aren’t delightful, but because I discerned that I could continue forever in the weight gain dilemma if I didn’t put an end to it once and for all. As I go out to eat in a restaurant, my eyes no longer wander over the choice of fried chicken , mashed potatoes and cole slaw. Yes, still sounds good, but a grilled chicken breast with baked potato and tossed salad is a better choice, a wiser choice, and it is still filling, but easier on the calorie budget. Keeping wisdom in view---that’s what we have to do from here on out. This is, after all, a lifestyle change.

Father God, Thank You for choices, but most of all through Your grace the choice of wisdom. In Christ’s name who is the Word and Wisdom, we pray. Amen

Today's Diet Tip: 17.- Carry a low-cal drink at a party and refuse food with a, "No thank you, I have something."

Today's Positive Thought: I release the past and focus on the beauty of now.