My neighbors are retired missionaries who served in Thailand for over 30 years. They are a source of conviction for me because I pass them walking nearly every day, either as I’m going or coming from work. I wave, as the overwhelming guilt sinks in. I doubt that I could keep up with Bob and Jeannie Spears but they sure inspire trying.
Truth is, what they are doing should make many of us lace up our Nikes and rotate the block. Then there is Margie, Teri and Ardella, who I work with at the hospital. They eat light and right watching the calories, fat and salt at the cafeteria at Unity. Then there is Nancy in our “Way” group of healthy spiritual and physical lifestyle, she has been able to cut her meds in half and eliminate some completely. Discipline and determination seem to be on the menu of these people. The benefits are obvious. Eat right, exercise more.
Here is the other aspect of Health Reform. Not more medicine, insurance and doctor visits but get healthy by preventive measures. Turn off the television and go walk somewhere. One woman at church told me that 11 times around the inner hallway of our church was one mile. I hope she doesn’t shout or our walls, like Jericho, might fall. No, seriously, we need to reform our lifestyle. Like our grandparents, we need to get active every day.
While two-thirds of our world is malnurished, we struggle with obesity and lethargy. There are no magic pills to lose weight or battery operated belts to shake it off. It’s simple. Eat less, walk more, rest better and smile more often. Watch the stress level drop.
There are greater reasons than our own health, which should be a righteous goal to reach and maintain. But our children and grandchildren, many who already have addictions to sugar, fat, salt and caffeine, are going to have health issues earlier than we did. It is not about our appearance. I may look like a beach-ball with arms but I am not going on the fashion runway. What is important is teaching our next generation that the government or God won’t help us if we don’t choose better things on our own.
My pill box looks like a Bingo Card. I want off some of those medicines; so should you. I don’t want to get on the scales and read, “one at a time please!” We all can make gradual life changing decisions. There is lots of help out there, support groups and any diet online or in book form.
In the days past, we walked everywhere. There was a small neighborhood store on each corner which we hiked to and made our meal purchases. They still do this in other countries or do without. I’ve noticed in third world countries how happy and well-behaved the children are who we deem deprived. Our children have every video game, DS, Ipod, cell phone and lap top imaginable but they are not content. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in how he should go.”
Though contested, studies continue to show folk who go to church regularly and have an active faith are healthier. Don’t wait until Monday, start today on getting healthy by implementing your own reform plan. Eat right. Exercise more. See your doctor about a plan. Stop worrying and start praying. It works.
Editor’s Note: This Guest Editorial is offerd by Larry Sparks. He is a member of The Shawnee News-Star Guest Editorial Advisory Board. He also is chaplain of Unity Health Center and pastor of New Beginnings Church in Shawnee. The views expressed by our guest editorialists and guest columnists are theirs, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the News-Star’s management.
