Things Mama Taught Me: "You'll Spoil Your Appetite"

This is what my mother warned when we wanted a snack too close to supper time or wanted sweets instead of more nourishing fare. I never lacked appetite, so I don't know that her admonition was necessary; nevertheless, she had a good point. It's very easy to leave out foods that are important for the body's maintenance and growth by substituting what we call "junk food" for its lack of those valuable nutrients.

I think it's possible to dull intellectual, cultural, and spiritual appetites also. If the brain is never challenged to process things that are beyond immediate recognition, where will new ideas come from? If appreciation for the arts is dumbed down to awe of dazzling technological displays, what will feed our souls? If beauty is only superficial and goodwill is a commercial product, how will we recognize truth? If everything we read or watch is "mind candy," how will we grow in the ability to fulfill our responsibilities? If we are used just to nodding to God once a week, how can we know His voice on the day He wants to speak to us?

"For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, and the hungry soul He has filled with what is good." (Psalm 107:9) Let's not spoil our appetites!

MaryMartha


Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible, used by permission of The Lockman Foundation, http://www.lockman.org/


Art from http://sxc.hu/