Monday, January 31, 2011

The Rotter

My mom is a helper - it is just in her DNA to serve.  She was over babysitting one night and went through our fridge to clean out the nasty stuff that I forget about (ok let's be honest - I forget about it, remember it, but by that time I am too grossed out to touch it!).  She then organized our fridge (also part of her DNA, organization. . .was I adopted?). 

A few days ago, I went to the grocery store and after my mom's helpful organization I could see what we had and what we needed.  I picked up some green grapes, among other things, since we were out and my kids love grapes like candy.  Actually they love fruit more than candy (praying this phase will last!).

Upon arriving home (there is a point here. . . keep reading!) I started to put the groceries away and just happened to see a little green showing through the bottom drawer of our fridge - you know the Rotter Crisper.  I NEVER use this drawer for the simple fact that I forget it exists and then anything that does get put in here ROTS!  My mom (and the rest of the world apparently) don't have this problem and so logically she put the fruit that we had (grapes and blueberries) in this drawer.  Thankfully I found them before they rotted - we just had a supper of fruit! 

Yesterday when my mom was over, I asked her to not put any food in the Rotter Crisper again as I forget about it.  She said, "Well, it's a clear drawer isn't it?  Don't you see what's in there when you are looking around?" 

The simple answer is "no."  The lengthy answer is "No, but I have no idea why and maybe I should seek help on why looking down in my fridge is such a challenge for me."

You see if food - fruit in particular - is not eye level in front of me, I tend to forget about it.  Since having kids, my outlook on fruit has changed a lot, but before then. . . . well, lets just say that unless we were talking about fruit juice, fruit snacks, fruit loops, etc. the word fruit was not a regular part of my diet.

I like fruit, I really do - just when given the option of something else. . well it took a backseat.  Since having kids and wanting them to grow up healthy and strong, I make fruit a bigger part of our menu.  But, I would buy fruit, stick it in the Rotter Crisper and forget about it.  Even though I knew it was important to the health and well-being of my family. 

So now fruit and any other food that my mind deems less than desirable, but necessary is right in front of me at eye level in the fridge. . . no excuse now!

I got to thinking about this today.  How easy it is to overlook things in life that are good for me and yet maybe do not give me the instant satisfaction or delight that something else might.  Give me the choice between the chips and dip of life or the fruit of life and 9 out of 10 times, I am gonna grab me some chips and dip! Especially if the good (the fruit) is not layed before me on a constant basis, right in front of my eyes.  It is so easy to forget about the benefits of 'fruit':  being patient, finding joy in the mundane, building relationship with God, thinking on things that are good, finding your passion and doing something about it, etc.

I find that I get these great ideas or I feel really motivated to do something, but I so quickly forget about it and instead pick up the 'chips and dip' of:  I am too tired, I am too busy, I am not good enough, I have young kids so I can't, etc.  In the short term, these feel real and like truth.  But in the long run, a steady diet of 'chips and dip' will make me fat, lazy, unhealthy from the inside out.

So, the lesson that I have learned and started to put into practice is to write out goals, lessons, things I want in my life that are ultimately good for me, but maybe are hard at the beginning.  I want to open the fridge of my life and see, "Spend time with God."  "Be intentional with my kids."  "Submit an article to be published."  "Do the dishes every night." 

Since I am a visual person I have decided to write out some of these (and others) and place them on cards around my house.  The bathroom mirror, on the fridge (maybe in the fridge!), in my van, etc. 

What is the fruit in your life?  What are the chips and dip?

4 comments:

Unknown said...

wow, I'll have to think about that. I have the same eyesight I think.

Christy said...

Joann-Thanks for stopping by - nice to know I am not the only one with poor vision at times!

Amber said...

Great post Christy! I liked so many things you said I can't write them all down or I'd just be re-posting your post. It was full of little things everyone needs to hear from time to time, so thanks for the reminder.

Christy said...

Oh thanks Amber! You are too sweet! Hey, we finally hung that picture-I must remember to take a picture and post it! I am not 100% sure on the border color we chose, but that is easy enough to change at a later date.