Do We Want McDonald's? Or a Four-Course Steak Dinner?

You know, I think sometimes we believe we have to settle for mediocrity.


What would you say if someone told you that it's a pipe dream to desire to have a real, sit down meal? One with matching china plates, a tablecloth, maybe some flowers in a vase. Crackers with cheese balls and a glass of red wine to get things started off with, then a great big chef salad with homemade croutons,  followed by a juicy grass-fed Angus beef onion-encrusted steak, grilled veggies and fluffy mashed potatoes slathered in butter, finished up with a blueberry galette.

And you dream of one day sitting down and enjoying this sort of meal with friends gathered 'round the table.

And then someone shatters your dream, telling you, "That's unrealistic. No one eats that way anymore. You won't ever be able to enjoy a meal like that. Your best option is to drive thru McDonald's and get yourself a Big Mac."

We often fall for this line, don't we? We may desire a real meal, but sometimes the only option that seems available at the moment is McDonald's. So we think we have to settle for less, for nutritionally void, tasteless, chemical-laden fast "food." Because it's convenient, it's there, and... no one seems to be enjoying a real sit-down meal.

I am sure this analogy could relate to many things; mostly I was thinking about it relating to how I sometimes tend to view marriage. Like, I ought to accept a mediocre relationship, one where there's not really love, or respect for one another, because it's merely a hopeless romantic's dream to desire something that's real, meaningful, spiritual, edifying, connected, loving, respectful, passionate, supportive.

There are a lot of reasons for this, but I seem to have this wrong mindset that I ought to be open to McDonald's. But I've realized, lately, that while McDonald's may be ubiquitous, and it may be easily obtained - it's not for me.

It may take longer, require more effort, more patience, more work, more seeking the Lord to cause provision, to get to prepare and enjoy a four-course meal. But it actually can come into existence.

And it also delivers more joy.

And it's something that nourishes the soul.

How Do You Know a Man Loves You?

When a man is willing to put my needs above his own, laying down his life for me

When he makes me feel like I am the most beautiful woman in the world

When he treats me not like an old, dirty, neglected dishrag

But rather like a treasure, a jewel that he cherishes and

Wants to protect

And when he not only says these things 

(Words are so important!)

But also demonstrates them as well

In the way and manner he treats me

When I know that I am safe to be what I am, who I am

And not expected to be

Something or someone I'm not


...then I will know I am Loved.


-ALM, November 2, 2014