Eliana Lizbeth: A Good Meal

Eliana is just days from entering toddlerhood! And she is already displaying glimpses of the willful defiance characteristic of toddlers. She has scratched me, bit me numerous times, refused to let me out of her sight, only to cry if I pick her up, but worst of all...she has refused to eat!

I finally resorted to the most pitiful feeding method known to woman. All week I have been preparing her breakfast, lunch and dinner. I make all her food and use mostly organic ingredients. I carefully plan for her to eat a good balance of vegetables, fruits, grains, proteins and dairy and also throw in some baked sweets. I want the best we can provide for her nutrition. However, Eliana made it clear every single day, numerous times a day that she simply had no time for a good meal. I fought back curses as I poured yet another meal down the drain!

In my exasperation I reached for a well-known parenting book that had this piece of wisdom to offer regarding the change in attitude towards mealtime:

"Now [meals] represent an unwelcome interruption in a 'day in the life of a fledging toddler' who'd rather be on the go (so many things to do, so many places to see, so much trouble to make--so little time in a day)!"

I gave up trying to feed her lunch and set her in her room to play. After a while, she began to whine and cry, surely out of starvation. Believe me, I was in no condition to attempt another feeding. Here is where the pitiful method comes in.

I grabbed a plastic lid from the kitchen, poured some cereal puffs in it and placed it on the floor of her room...deliriously laughing all the way. I felt as though I were feeding a puppy instead of my precious girl. But she was absolutely delighted!

There sat my child of God on the not-so clean carpet, eating cereal puffs off the floor! Sitting idly in the refrigerator were all her organic, home-prepared meals!! Can you see the irony?

Eliana! I want to feed you the best food I can possibly provide and you rather eat puffs off the floor? If you could only understand taht I want to feed you so you can grow strong, be healthy and have all the energy you need for your countless hours of exploring, playing and troublemaking you want to do! Let me take care of you!

Then God spoke to my heart and said, "Kind of sounds like you doesn't it?"

This morning after I set Eliana down for her nap, I opted out of my quiet time with God. "Just for today God, I have things to do after all! I will spend time with you later. I got this!"

After spilling my coffee while I was trying to sew, I was unwillingly led to my knees and say, "I'm sorry, I tried to prioritize my projects over your Word!"

I was mad with God though because I just knew He had sent an angel to knock over my coffee mug! I just knew He was trying to sabotage the completion of my projects! Praise God for his grace and sense of humor!

Eliana was not the only one refusing good nutrition today. If I had gone before my Father this morning, kneeled before His throne and allowed Him to feed me His Sweet and Living Word (Psalm 119:103), I would have certainly received the spiritual nourishment I so desperately needed for the rough day we had ahead of us. I chose to try and be effective in my own strength. And I am thankful I failed!

My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son. Hebrews 12:5-6

I pray that both Eliana and I would learn the futility of independence from God.

Seek first His kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

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Here is the pitiful lid...