I started using The Daily Plate on livestrong.com. It’s a web tool for recording what I eat and my exercise every day. It’s really a helpful tool. Some days I hate it, some days I appreciate it. It has given me an awareness of every calorie in every bite I eat and the number of calories burned by exercise. There are days when it tells me I’ve eaten my allotment of calories by 5 p.m. Other days, when I exercise a lot, it gives me “permission” to eat like a pig. If I eat something loaded in calories, I quickly see how it raises my tally for the day. I think subconsciously we consider cause and effect in our daily lives but The Daily Plate has helped me bring it to the front of my mind — at least when it comes to my eating.
I wish I had a way to see the cause and effect of other behaviors in my life more readily. Maybe then I could avoid unpleasant consequences. Could I possibly consider the effect of my hurtful comments or my confrontational tone BEFORE I open my mouth? Why do I not realize that without quiet time with God daily, I’m more likely to speak those hurtful words or gossip, or worry needlessly? Maybe then I would realize that when I put walls up around my heart and time that it would cause me to face times of loneliness when I need a friend.
When I’m tuned in, the Holy Spirit is the means for me to see cause and effect in my behaviors. I just need to get better at slowing down and listening for his voice and yielding to his will. He continues to work on me. I’m thankful he promises to continue his good work in me until it is complete.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6
