Protein please!

Ryan teases me that my response to cranky kids is (too) often to say that they need some protein. And seriously, in many cases I do think it holds at least a bit of truth. Especially for Tyrus. A cereal breakfast just won't do that boy much good for very long before he begins to wilt---he needs some protein! Give him eggs or at least a decent amount of peanut butter on his toast and he'll be good to go for noticeably longer. During a meal the other day he actually commented to me about which food he was eating so he could have some protein.

Well, today, in the midst of feeling grumpy and frustrated for no reason at all (which makes me want to blame hormones and pregnancy---which I refuse to do), I took a moment to sit down and read the Bible. I wish I did this all the time-- I don't. But today, when I did, I just had this simple realization that really, what my soul needed was some "protein". I was wilting in my attitude, in my desire to serve my family, in my desire to believe God and do right and it was largely in part to the fact that I needed to spend some time reading the Bible. I have never deprived my soul of the food it craves, the food that can truly nourish it, like I have in this somewhat recent time of my life. I believe the Word of God, the Bible, is useful in many ways. It is like food for our souls. And, on and off for the past several years I have gone in and out of making it a priority to substantially feed my soul on a consistent basis with the Word of God. I have been lazy. I have been sleep deprived. I have been depressed (post partum). I have been selfish. I have been on facebook. I have been exercising my body. Dont get me wrong. I think sleep deprivation is crippling. Depression can knock you off your feet. Facebook is fine and frankly, fun. And, exercise is healthy. However, reading the Word of God is like feeding food to our soul and without it, we will surely wilt. We will lack the energy we need to be who God made us to be and do the things someone who loves Him will gladly do. The health of our bodies is directly related to the nourishment given to them and so it is with our souls. Feeding our souls must be a priority if we care to thrive.

Interestingly, our pastor just spoke of this very thing on Sunday. And, I'm thankful that though it is very elementary, God helped me see this in such a simple and understandable way today. Even though it doesn't always feel "magical" or I don't always feel "stuffed" or changed inside, when I read my Bible it is like when I give Tyrus a good, "strong" breakfast (as we like to call it). I know he will be energized for the long haul. So it is with our souls.

And, even though there is not an ounce of protein in these little snowmen treats, I made this very fun and easy surprise (which I found in the Family Fun magazine) for the boys last night so I could practice them for an upcoming party and thought I'd end on this note...

Happy December!