Whenever I go to my husband with a dilemma I can't solve, he usually says, "Well, you know a tree by it's fruits, right?"
It's so simple. What is right doesn't always make everything magically better, it isn't always easy, and it doesn't always feel good, but what is right will always result in a good. Good trees produce good fruit; bad trees produce bad fruit. When I think of things in this light, the decision becomes much clearer.
Last night when I weighed myself, I had gained a pound. On any previous diet, I would have thrown my hands up and said, "Well this isn't working!" or "I am failing. I am doing something wrong." But in this detox I know those statements are false. I know have followed the rules (ok, so maybe I ate a little extra turkey meatballs and spaghetti squash last night). I know that this is "working." My energy and mood are night and day from before. Good fruit.
The change in energy was a change I hoped for, but I never expected to experience spiritual fruit. Today in Mass I was totally engaged. Even better, I found myself able to attend to my two oldest boys as well. I patiently answered my four-year-old's repeated, "When are we going home," and we avoided a total meltdown. My mind was also opened to all the benefits my oldest child was getting from Mass. Were were reading through the words together in his Magnificat, and following along with the music in the hymnal. He was asking me relevant questions about the Gospel. I was able to encourage him to reflect on his future First Communion, as I prepared to receive Christ's body. Great fruit.
I am so floored, but I guess I shouldn't be. I gave something over totally to my Heavenly Father, and He is nurturing me and showing me His love in ways I couldn't have imagined.
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