I’m not very good at a lot of things in life. Not only am I not good at some things, but I’m terrible at most things.
However, I’m actually excellent at a few things, and eating tops that list. I've never met a cheeseburger I didn't like.
I could have a cheeseburger every day and be very, very happy. Along with my cheeseburger, would be some very delicious French fries.
I’ll wager few can eat a cheeseburger and fries like me. I never know when I've had enough. And when it comes to dessert, I’ve never met one I didn’t love.
Recently, I’ve developed some health challenges. My doctor said I was slightly overweight and it would be beneficial to drop some pounds. I asked what that meant, and he just smiled, probably knowing I'd find some humor in it.
Then I had a slight heart attack, along with an episode of shingles and even a case of acute bronchitis. All of that together redefined my health.
When I say redefine, I'm referring to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha. She's usually with me when I see the doctor and knows everything he says.
She even remembers more than I hear. Because of that, she’s now taken over the culinary aspect of my health. I should’ve seen that coming.
I must confess she’s a wonderful cook. I don't think there's anything she can't cook or bake that’s not delicious.
But now, because of my health, she’s developed a vegetable diet for me mixed in with some fruits. The main part of my daily meals is lettuce.
Personally, I only love lettuce on my cheeseburger.
There’s one strict restriction along this line, and that’s broccoli. No matter what anybody else thinks, especially Martha, I don’t consider broccoli a vegetable. Disagree with me if you want, but I’m not budging on that stance.
For the past year, she’s been diligent about this diet she’s developed. After a week of eating salads, I began to feel like a rabbit. Now I know what rabbits feel like when they're running around looking for lettuce.
The only difference with a rabbit is the ears. They have big ears and can hear everything, whereas I have small ears and hardly can hear anything.
As a result of this diet, the doctor told me at my last visit I’d lost around 15 pounds. Where they went, I have no clue, but I do know their absence is a positive change.
Because of the weight loss, my blood pressure also is where it should be, he said. I never knew it was out of control, but doctors always are right, Martha says.
So evidently, her “vegetable diet” is working. Which had me recalling a Bible verse from first Corinthians.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 10: 31
Whatever my diet is, whether I like it or not, I'm going to do it to glorify God. After all, He deserves my praise.
Dr. Snyder is a former pastor who lives with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha, in Ocala, Fla. His email is [email protected].
