Lent Day 7

When I talk to friends who have done similar "cleanses" we talk about how the flavor of food changes.  Without sugar and sweetened foods in my diet, fruit has much more flavor and tastes incredibly sweeter.  Sourdough bread tastes very sour.  Vegetables even taste better.  You can taste God's miracles.  After just 7 days on this cleanse I am already experiencing this phenomenon.

Today's Focus: Work Addiction, when there is a misplaced faith in your career.  When there is a belief that working hard will bring you wealth, stability, and/or satisfaction that is when work addiction will develop.  Just like food and sex addictions, it's sometimes difficult to draw the line where healthy work habits end where work addiction starts.  Just like every addiction, There's quick quiz to find out where you stand and to help you learn the difference.  Work Addiction impacts our physical health and spiritual health.  Spiritually, unhealthy work habits keep us from our families, keeps us from happiness, and keeps us from God.

Today's Positive Action:  Today I will read the label of the first three packaged foods I eat today.  I will also make sure there are no trans fats in the contents.  Reading food labels is good skill.  If you learn to use it, then you will be surprised by the impact it has on your life.

Dear God, today in my journey of Lent please help me to know when my work habits are healthy when they are not.  Help me to be satisfied with what I have.  Help me see when I start chasing worldly things that my career offers, but can only be taken away.  Help me see when I start chasing the titles and promotions.  Help me see when I start chasing the next raise.  Help me see when I start chasing things that bring only short-term joy.  Most of all, help me seek a relationship with you - one of the few things that brings real happiness.  Help me know when I can spend time with my kids and family - and that I need to put my work down.  I know I am not alone in these battles in placing faith in my work and career.  I know there are people who are in much worse situations than I am because of work addiction.  Be with those who are destroying their relationships for the sake of the career.  Help those people who ignore responsibilities outside of work, and "orphan" their children for the sake of their career.  Help them to find patience with people who priorities outside of work.  Help them realize having more money will not solve all of their problems.  More than anything Lord, help their families of work addicts.  Let them know there is hope.  Amen.

Thanks for letting me share.