I have been juicing lately - trying to eat healthier and support my husband in controlling his diabetes. This is my third week juicing and every few days I add something that I have not tried before. Things like sweet potato, fresh coconut, and acorn squash. This week kale is on the juicing menu. I have heard it can be pretty bitter, so the first day I only used one leaf. I barely knew it was there. Day 2, two leaves; I could tell a bitterness was creeping in the juice. Today, day 3 - ewww! It was all I could do to chug the juice down with a straw. I offered to give my remaining kale to a friend and she suggested freezing it (she's great with ideas like that!). Trust me, I will be going back to one leaf, maybe one and a half. And in case you are wondering, I do put at least one fruit in my juices. Usually strawberries, blueberries, apple, orange, or pineapple or some combination. I know I could not have got any of it down today without the orange. You lose some.
This "ewwwiness" makes me think of putting to death a particular sin in my life. I do not want to make the effort; I want to be comfortable. Just like my juice, it needs to "taste" good going down. But, I know my juice today was healthier because of its presence. My life is more conformed to the image of Christ when I swallow the unpleasantness of pride and walk in righteousness. It is not easy, nor is it appetizing, but it is necessary. After all, I want to honor this temple, my body, by taking better care of it and I want to honor God by becoming more like Jesus. You win some. Romans 8:28-29 and 1 Corinthians 10:31.
The "ewwwinesss" . . .
. . . headed to the freezer!
