Learned Behavior NIV: Proverb 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: Train children, not in the way they would go, that of their corrupt hearts, but in the way they should go; in which, if you love them, you would have them go. As soon as possible every child should be led to the knowledge of the Savior. Good impressions made upon them will abide upon them all their days.

MY OBSERVATIONS: This Scripture has always been the hope and joy of Christian parents, who although their child may stray at some point in their life, will assuredly return to the Lord. This Scripture is also a double-edge sword. If we have taught our children, or if we ourselves were taught as a child poor eating habits, these will follow us through all our days. Children learn what they live. Overeating of comfort foods may also be a way of masking a deeper rooted problem left over from childhood; molestation, neglect, emotional, mental or physical abuse, alcohol/drug abuse in the home, or unspent anger, all of these traumatic events can send a person into an emotional tailspin their entire life. This is the legacy we leave our children, and even more so if that is which was left to us. We need to turn to Christ as Savior and Healer to overcome these horrific memories. We need to turn to Him for times of refreshing, and we need to be 100% certain that we are not training our children up in any of these negative ways. As we recover from an eating disorder, we can also recover from being our own harshest critic and become instead our staunchest supporter. Rather than looking for what we do wrong and downgrading our capabilities, we can appreciate the progress we have made and cheer ourselves on to a continued success. We want to pass on to our children a legacy that we can be proud of.

Gracious Father, in Your mercy deliver us from the baggage and bondage of our childhood memories. Wash us and make our past memories mindful only of how you will turn it for our good. Teach us to train our children in every aspect of godliness, for the glory of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

NIV: Proverb 22:3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

My Observations: I have been reading a book which involves diet and nutrition for a longer, healthier life. The author brought up points that I had never considered before when he asked, Have you been eating yourself into an early grave? He points out statistically that the typical American diet can lead one into a costly battle with cancer, heart disease, or some other degenerate disease such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, adult-onset diabetes, obesity related health problems, or arthritis. I don’t pay heed to every nutritionist or self-proclaimed diet guru, but his point and objective to gear us toward a healthier lifestyle change were well-taken. Right now our short term goal is to lose weight. Lets also make it our long term goal not only to keep it off, but return to a healthy diet as part of our every day experience. Once more, this particular proverb points the way for us to make a change in our eating habits while we can.

Father God, we bless Your name for the wisdom You extend to us. Thank You for the opportunity to see danger ahead, to turn to You, and to overcome our poor lifestyles. We thank and praise You in the precious name of Jesus. Amen

Today's Diet Tip: 22.- "A second on the lips, forever on the hips." Most foods are tasted for only three seconds, then are swallowed and are gone.

Today's Positive Thought: People will not remember what you did, they will not remember what you said, but they will always remember how you made them feel.