Ick on a plate

Yesterday, I found an article in the Huffington Post that talked about the 10 disgusting things we eat of which we may or may not be aware.  Secretions from the anus of beavers is one of them - seems it is used in vanilla flavored items.  I am not excited about consuming beaver ANYTHING much less  stuff from its back end.


Ugh.  I have resolved to never eat anything that might closely resemble vanilla flavored from now on.


Does this ever happen to you?  You are made aware of something and it strengthens your resolve to avoid something for a time, although often we "return to our folly" or in this case, our vanilla flavoring.


I want to be stronger than that.  I want my resolutions to be resolute.  I want all the vanilla items in my life to be legitimate.


I am glad that God never goes back on His promises.  He never resolves to do something only to fail when tempted. 


He is good.  Even when I am weak. :)

Psalm 89:2 "I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself."

Blessings!  Amberly


Just in case you are interested, the article can be found at:  Gross foods
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/gross-food-ingredients/

LENTrance

Years ago, early in my teaching assignment at a Lutheran School, I had an interesting epiphany.

On one particular day, a teaching peer was walking down the hall.  This beautiful woman was also one of my daughter's first grade teachers and I respect her like crazy.  It was my admiration for her that behooved me to let her know when something was awry.

She had a large smudge on her forehead.  It looked like pencil or dark chalk.  Right in the middle of her forehead.  Before she walked into class, I managed to get her attention and tell her about the smudge by rubbing my forehead.  She politely smiled and said, "It is Ash Wednesday".  Ugh.  How embarrassing.

After correcting me, she entered the classroom.  She said that as soon as she walked in, a beautiful blond 6 year-old (my daughter) looked up and whispered, "Mrs. Fortnum" and rubbed her forehead.

She admitted that although we are terrible Lutherans, she discovered that we are good friends that day.

Friends are willing to point out smudges and missteps.  They let you know about the broccoli in your teeth and love you enough to tell you the truth.

I am blessed to have some of those friends in my life.  Truth tellers.

The conversations we share are not always painless, but they make me stronger.

Business guru, Ken Blanchard once said, "Feedback is the breakfast of champions".

I pray that you have friends who give you feedback and make you a better person.

By the way, happy Ash Wednesday.

Amberly