I still remember the first time I was confronted with grapefruit. My family was visiting our great-great Aunt Helen and Uncle Harold in Tampa, Florida. It was breakfast. We were sitting in their dining room that overlooked the Bay. On our plates were halved grapefruits. Along side were wooden handled spoons, which had a serrated tip for cutting the grapefruit. At the age of five the only thing neat about this breakfast was the spoon.
There we sat around the table- Mom, Dad, Marilyn, Uncle Harold, Aunt Helen and GG (my great grandmother). I stared down at the fruit. It smelled good, but I couldn’t be fooled ; it was sour and I knew it. That day I ate toast, avoiding the grapefruit, which is a shame. My Uncle Harold was a citrus farmer before retirement. I’m sure he knew how to pick out the tastiest grapefruits. But when you’re five those kinds of things don’t seem important.
Fast forward. I am now thirty-four, a mother of three who has gained an undesirable amount of weight. I know that one way to discard those pounds is to avoid sweets. Anyone who knows me, knows this is nigh unto impossible. I enjoy a good chewy brownie, a bowl of ice cream, a freshly baked cookie – you name something decadent and I probably love it.
Over the last 3 weeks I have tried to say no to desserts. It’s been really difficult at times. However, I have found a saving grace. Grapefruit. Not long ago as I walked through the produce section of the local Publix, I noticed them. They called out to me and for some unknown reason and I purchased a whole bag. That’s right – a bag of 10 grapefruits.
When I got home that night, my family indulged in a treat, while I prepared a grapefruit. Now, I must confess that I used a little sprinkle of sugar on mine. But, as I took that first bite, something happened. I can’t define it – I can’t describe it. But – I devoured it. It was better than candy or chocolate or ice cream. A piece of God’s nature satisfied a craving that had been taunting me.
I’ve been thinking about the experience. I know that to be the woman that God wants me to be, I have to lay aside this weight. Not just the physical weight, but also the temptation that haunts me. Sometimes it feels like pounds hanging around my neck.
There is a Scripture that means something sweet and fresh to me today:
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear, BUT WITH THE TEMPTATION WILL ALSO MAKE THE WAY OF ESCAPE THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BEAR IT.
In times passed I focused on the “able to bear” part. And I would wonder – “God, I can’t handle this temptation any more. Why can’t I say no to these foods that aren’t good for me?” But I think I understand.
Before time God knew about me. He created me. He knew what my struggles would be and He knew what I would need to conquer them. On the day of creation when he created the earth’s vegetation – he created Grapefruit. Somehow as I reread that Scripture today it seems as though he created it just for me. He promised that He would make my way of escape and He did.
Thank you God for creating such a delicious escape!
By: Melody Day, Daily Portion
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Jennifer says
Oh, how the Father must have delighted in your delight of what He has made! I love sweets — and am known to whip up choc chip cookies when we are out of dessert! I love how God continues to lead us toward beautiful discoveries — things He knows we love and letting us discover them! Love this! Thank you. ~ Jennifer
Christan Perona says
Thank you for your honesty, Melody. Your struggles are so very real to most of us, and really, to all of us in that we run to things to satisfy our void… ultimately things that will destroy. I recently heard someone say that anything we run to for deliverance or protection – other than our Lord – will become an addiction. I can’t stop thinking about these words.
God’s blessings to you as you look to Him to satisfy every part of your heart.
Christan
melody says
very true, Christan! thank you for those thoughts!
Danelle says
Yes, He takes the sour of life and makes the sweet. I love posts about how our past knits into our future and our knowledge of how He sees us all and loves us all!
And how true. . . we can only run to God for our deliverance and protection. .nothing else satisfies.
Beautiful words.
Angie says
Oh.My.Goodness. I could have written this myself! This is my (food) life over the past few months…I can’t stop eating grapefruit (3-4 on some days)! They are SO delicious…and, I too, sprinkle them with a little sugar! SO very good! Sadly, they are becoming very sparse here in my part of Indiana…so feel free to mail me some:) Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking!
melody says
I would send some your way, but Tennessee is not doing much better at this point. I guess we’ll have to wait a few months! 🙂 md
Beth Williams says
Melody,
I lived in Tampa for 20 years. For some unknown reason I don’t care for any citrus fruits.
It has become easy for me to pass up sweets, except dark chocolate. With God ALL things are possible, even giving up the tempting foods we shouldn’t eat!
Shari says
I absolutely LOVE grapefruit, and I eat it without sugar even! I love the tangy taste.
If you want yours just slightly sweetened, Costco sells individual servings of already peeled and sectioned grapefruit packed in white grape juice. It’s also quite good and very portable.
Pinky says
May I suggest a little Splenda on your grapefruit!!??:):) Then it is totally guilt free! I have been eating anything that isn’t nailed down lately, don’t now what the heck is going on??? XO, Pinky
Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight says
Grapefruit…lime…blackberries…avocados…
Ahhhh! Gifts from the Creator!
melody says
amen, Teri! all gifts from His hand!
Kim says
As I was reading this I kept thinking, “me too!!” I went through a health condition a couple years ago, and my doctors told me I would have to drastically reduce my sugar intake. I was literally a dessert addict! I would eat the healthiest dinner and then indulge in two brownies or cookies or anything yummy to make my meal “complete.” But when I was sick I even had to cut out fruits that were high in sugar.
Grapefruit saved the day! I ate it everyday and it became my new favorite dessert or sweet morning breakfast. It’s funny how God uses such a beautiful and delicious fruit to touch so many people.