I Can't Help It

I simply can't help it. I'm disturbed by the snacks served in churches to children.

We are currently searching for a new church. Let me say that some churches have amazing children's programs. Not only is the staff friendly, the decor captivating, and the curriculum promising, but there is simply an energy about these places that shows kids that church is cool. God can be a lot of fun. I love it.

I realize that churches have budgets. But I'm also disheartened when godly people put emphasis on service, tithing, Bible reading, etc. and not on taking care of one's own body. After all, we are called to love others as we love ourselves, and if we don't love ourselves and take care of the glorious bodies God gave us, then how can we accurately meet the needs of others? You can't give what you don't have. If you don't pocess self-control when it comes to food and other aspect of self-care, how can you best care for others?

I'm no saint. Lord knows I love funnel cakes, stuffed crust pizza, and raw cookie dough, but because of my diabetes, I can't stuff myself with that food. I guess I'm a little lucky by default. One point for diabetes.

I have very high expectations when it comes to food. So when I volunteered to be snack coordinator at Bible school this past summer, I worked very hard to prepare healthy snacks for eighty-plus people each evening. I can't go against my convictions, even if it costs a little more money. (See photos above). We served whole-grain trail mix, cheese and whole wheat crackers, plain yogurt with granola, organic cookies (which yes, are still cookies, but without some of the nasty stuff that other prepacked cookies contain), and water. These treats were a huge hit!

I don't get why nursery staffers insist on serving so many cheese crackers (that have zero nutritional value) and 10% "fruit" juice to kids. That doesn't nourish them, and in fact, all it does is jack up their blood sugar so that when their parents come pick them up, the kids are crabby and on their way into a low blood sugar abyss. Ug. And let's face it, we all get in food ruts. We think, yes, we'll have a few cookies, which turns into four, which turns into half a package. Unhealthy foods breed cravings for more unhealthy foods.

And it doesn't stop with the kids. So many church parties and functions support unhealthy eating habits. I have attended countless Christian events where the food is hardly healthy.

Is it a lack of educaton? A lack of funds? A lack of caring about the snack when the goal of church is spiritual and not physical? I don't know.

But I'm determined to make an impact wherever we are planted.

I am encouraged, on the bright side, by the number of healthy-living/weight-loss groups churches have. I feel like finally I'm finding a place where people care about some of the things I do.

I get that I'm anal about healthy foods, and I also get that not everyone cares nearly as much about this as I do. But I am also not going to lower my expectations and beliefs to fit the norm----because the norm is simply not healthy, nor, do I believe, is godly.