We did some mighty fine eating during our Savannah vacation. So fine that I’ve been fighting an unsuccessful battle of the bulge since arriving home last Tuesday. For days, my inner dialogue has been a free-for-all of complaints.
Why did I indulge in so many afternoon snacks, and evening ice cream runs?
Why did the food down south have to be so tempting?
Why didn’t I walk more while we were there?
I was complaining last Thursday when our church secretary sent the following prayer from a dad requesting prayer for his son:
“Jaxson and his mom will be in Omaha for eight weeks, starting Monday, where they will be working on issues with his food aversion. Since coming home last year, his only real source of food has been through his feeding tube and an occasional (when he is in the mood) bottle or a little bit of something solid. When eating, he has constantly gagged. He is on at least four different medications at any one time and taking those at least three times per day. He is on constant oxygen all day, and we have been visited at least three times a week by medical and AEA staff who have been working with Jax on his development. We are definitely praying for success out of this because, to be honest, it is our best and last shot (this is only one of three food aversion clinics nationwide) to get help in getting him off the food pump, g tube, and oxygen and eating right!”
My heart broke for them as I remembered our son’s food aversion as an infant. It hadn’t lasted as long as Jaxson’s, but it had been traumatic. More than that, I knew this family. I interviewed them and told their story in Different Dream Parenting. I sensed God calling me to pray for them for the next eight weeks. And I sensed His gentle chastening, too. Instead of complaining about my battle of the bulge, he called me to thank Him for blessings too often taken for granted.
Thank you, God, that I can chew. Thank you for the ability to swallow, for being able to eat and enjoy food. Lord, make these blessings I take for granted part of Jaxson’s life, too. Amen.
