I want the donut, but do I reach for vegetables instead? It depends on my mood, stress level, self-image at the moment, all kinds of things. And to my anything-goes appetite, it feels like this question is way too personal. But why not? Paul tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and that we are to glorify God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). All the same, I say, it’s none of your business.

But I’ve grown accustomed to this life and rather like it! After Western treatments destroyed cancer cell invaders, I looked for natural health alternatives to help me live a healthier lifestyle. Especially related to food. So all of a sudden I’m not quite so touchy about the “What do you eat?” question. And I’m specifically grateful for the Health Alternatives support group that a cancer-survivor church member leads each month, as well as for herbalists and organic-food-eating friends. There’s a whole world of knowledge out there for healthy eating, but now I’m voluntarily taking some baby steps to change my previous behaviors. Baby steps, but they count.

This is God’s creation, and we are guests in it. Even with our body-selves, we are stewards, not owners. Most days this sounds like an exciting new adventure! For the other times, I try to rely on good habits and prayer, not in that order.

Your partner in ministry,

Betsy Schwarzentraub