The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. What a universal theme this is. I know I fight with this every day. I know I should eat better. I know I should. I want to. But after teaching all day and caring for my mother all evening it’s late when I finally get home. And I don’t cook. My husband was the cook. And even if I did cook, it’s late and I’m tired. But I’m hungry. It’s easier to grab something quick. Or something sweet sounds good. Despite my good intentions, many nights I eat cookies with Pepsi before I fall into bed. And I know I should drink more water. I want to. I say I will. I fill the Brita pitcher and put it in the fridge, but I drink Pepsi at home. It tastes so good. I want to do better. I want to eat regular healthy meals. I want to drink filtered water. But cookies and Pepsi taste so good. My logical mind is full of good intentions, but my sensual body wants cookies and Pepsi. There is a constant struggle between the spirit and the flesh. If I have sufficient time, I will try to cook something. My plan is to make macaroni and cheese tonight, although I will probably pair it with Pepsi. Sometimes my good intentions will win out and I eat something better than cookies, or more frequently, tortilla chips. But sometimes the weak flesh takes over. It’s hard to eat right. It’s easier to give in. It feels better to give in – in the short run. In the long run, healthy eating habits will make me feel better. I want to do good. I want to do God’s will. I want to follow God’s laws and do what is right. But however willing the spirit, the flesh is still weak. It’s easier to spend my little bit of free time watching tv. It’s tempting to spend my little bit of extra money buying cookies. And as much as I donate time and money to charity (and I do) it never seems enough. I should be doing more, I should be helping more. But sometimes I give into the flesh and veg on the couch eating cookies. It feels good in the short run, but in the long run what good I do will make the difference, and make me feel better in this world and the next. |