3 minute read
Serving As Unto The Lord by Dr. Kathleen B. Oden
Growing up as a military brat really broadened my intellect. But looking back on it, my life was also very sheltered. As a Christian, we are in the army of the Lord and should understand that the Lord gives us all different paths to walk. But everyone’s main path is to serve.
All of us are called to serve in some capacity after we give our lives to Christ. Back in 2011 after retiring from my job and looking forward to fulltime ministry work, a friend of mine said to me, “Now you have more time to spend with Jesus.” WOW! Why did that statement hit me like a ton of bricks? And why is it still ringing in my ears 10 years later? I was looking forward to working fulltime ministry, right? But how much time do we all really spend just with Jesus?
If nothing else, Covid has shown us that most people that are called to serve, do it on duty and off duty no matter the occupation or situation. Have we not seen, police officers, doctors, nurses, teachers, mothers, Christians, and many others who should be resting are yet “serving while on vacation?”
One of the hardest-working people in my life is my Pastor. She calls up people to check on them every single day. “Serving while on vacation” is who she is more than what she does. She is a very serving person. No matter how tired she feels, no matter what else she has to take care of, nothing stops her from serving others. She constantly looks for ways to serve.
To make a long story short… many years ago my mom was living in New York with my daughter and she wanted to move back to Jackson, Mississippi. My Pastor went with me all the way to New York by train. OMG! It took 3 or 4 days to get there! Then, we had to rent a U-Haul truck and drive my mom and all her stuff to Mississippi “nonstop”, through the dark of night! After that, we immediately, yep immediately, catch a bus from Jackson, back here to Houston Texas, WOW!
Then, (yes there is more) we had to rush to get dressed to attend the first night of a three-day revival that our church was hosting. And guess who the first speaker was? Me! What a hair-raising trip that was! My Pastor has been such a true blessing in my life as well as an awesome role model of what it really means to serve as unto the Lord.
Great tips and tricks by Dr. Kathleen B. Oden
Whenever you serve food, it makes you feel good when you go that extra mile to make it look as good as it tastes! And that goes DOUBLE for healthy food! Most of us allow our “eyes” to tell us what tastes good. And, if you’re trying to get your family to “buy-in” to eating healthy, then you may have to use a little psychology to accomplish that goal.
However, we all know that when kids see mom eating something, most of the time, they want it! There are tons of ways to “trick” your family into eating healthy. It just takes a little finesse! Here are six tips that will help you get started…
How to get your family to eat healthier…
TIP#1 - NEVER EVER SAY TO YOUR FAMILY… “I want you to start eating healthy.” What they don’t know will help them… LOL
TIP#2 - Purchase a large colorful bowl at the dollar store. Fill it full of fruit and put it on a table or kitchen counter.
TIP#3 - SLOWLY start purchasing healthy items. Put them in the fridge. Watch which items disappear. uy more of those.
TIP#4 - Search for recipes on how to make healthy homemade ice cream. Make it when NO ONE is at home.
TIP#5 - Create a healthy snack tray that looks like you are planning a party. Watch which items disappear. Buy more of those. (works really well for picky eaters)
TIP#6 - 3 or 4 days a week have a party meal with music, a festive tablecloth, healthy hors d’oeuvres, etc…
You know what meals your family loves to eat. Make that same meal using healthy ingredients! (you get the picture)
