Changing Desires

A few weekends ago we went to our local State Fair. We haven't ever taken our children to the State Fair, so this was a big deal for them. When I remember going to the fair a few times in my youth I always remember the booths, animals, rides and the food!

Oh, the yummy funnel cake and corn dogs!

My family didn't have much money growing up, so if we went to the fair and were able to get a snack it was a very special treat. My memories of fair food are not only the scrumptious crunch of a deep fried funnel cake dusted in the sweetness of powdered sugar, but they are also associated with family, fun and love.

This past trip to the State Fair was spent with my own husband, children and mother-in-law and it was also a day of fun, family and love. However, I noticed something different about myself this time.

As we walked down the little streets lined with all sorts of food booths I wasn't drawn to them. I didn't walk by planning which one I wanted to eat at and deciding how much I could have. I just walked by and noticed all of the interesting things they offered and that was it.

Fry bread is one of my favorite fair/carnival foods, so I decided I'd see if I could find a place that had those and that would be my treat. I didn't think about it all day, or keep watching the time wondering when we could eat. I just knew that was what I wanted and kept that in the back of my mind until lunchtime.

When it was time to eat I told my husband that fry bread sounded good to me. MIL and the girls agreed, so we four shared two of them. My son and husband shared a turkey leg.

We ate, commented on how sad we were that it wasn't as good as most we've had - they were thin instead of thick and chewy fry breads - finished up and then went on about our business. I was full and satisfied.

A while later we decided to try a dessert. As I mentioned, funnel cake is something we always get and share at a carnival or fair. However, this time the kids wanted something different and MIL wanted to try a cinnamon roll. The cinnamon rolls had caught my eye also, so she and I decided to share one and that was it for the dessert. Again, I was full and satisfied.

Full and satisfied with half a fry bread, half of a cinnamon roll and water for an entire six hours at the State Fair???

This was a day that I learned I am really changing from the inside out. I didn't spend the day dreading all the food temptations, or wondering how much I could fit in and then starve myself the rest of the week to see a weight loss, or even walking around feeling deprived of such yummy goodness.

I enjoyed the time with my family and enjoyed the foods that sounded best, but only in amounts I needed. And it seemed to come naturally. Even days later I couldn't explain how I felt to my friend, and I'm not quite sure she could understand me not wanting all that wonderful fair food.

And today all I know is that I am so grateful for this change that is happening in me. Not only the outside body is changing, but the inside desires are changing also and it feels so good!