“The story of Ireland is written in the soil, and the potato is the pen.” – Irish quotes
As promised, here is today’s second post.
Rebekah and I drove to Raleigh Friday for a doctor’s appointment. We may be in Tarboro now, but it is nice to keep our medical relationships consistent as much as possible and Raleigh is still – mostly – accessible.
We have this tradition when it comes to visiting the endocrinologist. We see the doctor, we talk about stuff like blood sugar and carbohydrates and cholesterol and diet, followed up with bloodwork. And then we go down the street to the Tra’Li Irish Pub for “forbidden” comfort food!
Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef Sandwich, Lamb Burger, Bangers & Mash, Apple Crisp with ice-cream and a great selection of beer… the list goes on. None of it the least bit healthy and all of it delicious to the Nth degree.
Of course we are committed to a healthy diet (see Low Carb Low Cal but elevated flavor). But it is exactly that commitment that makes “fun with pub-food” once in a while so deliciously good!
Monday (March 17) is Saint Patrick’s Day. We will not be driving over to Briar Creek in Raleigh, but we will absolutely be thinking about good Irish pub-food.
What is at play here is this whole idea of balance, and of enjoying rather than abusing every good gift. God’s invitation is to – as “The Teacher” says in Ecclesiastes 9:7 – “Go eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do….”
The trick of course is to enjoy and not abuse. I believe that God is saddened (grieved) when we do anything to excess (that’s gluttony), when we avoid a balanced diet and especially when we drink to the extent that we compromise ourselves and spoil relationships with those we love.
“Cheers,” “Chin-chin,” “Your good health,” “Prost” and “Saluti.”
But my emphasis today is very much on the “Your good health” end of the spectrum. Because drinking – or eating – too much is absolutely, and in every way, definitely not that. – DEREK