Glutton-free at last!

The Christmas season--for those of us in this household, at least--is over for another year. Yes, the New Year's activities are still looming, but we don't do much to mark that holiday, preferring instead to take it easy, catch up on things, and look forward to starting anew. Besides, it's time for me to begin my yearly ritual--planning, designing, beginning, and ultimately abandoning my latest diet. Celebrating on New Year's Eve would only serve to pile on another pound or two!

This year, though, I believe the Lord has taken that out of my hands. About two weeks before Christmas, I was diagnosed with Celiac disease, which means I'll be eating a gluten-free diet for the remainder of my days. Although I missed eating all the luscious holiday goodies, knowing that I would have been desperately ill during the entire holiday season makes me realize that finding out beforehand was indeed a blessing. Yes, it will be a challenge to eat without consuming any wheat, rye, barley or oat products ever again, but the benefits far outweigh any disadvantages. As soon as I began my gluten-free diet, I noticed immediate results. Besides the obvious advantage of feeling better, my body can now heal from the ravages of consuming gluten all these years and I'll no doubt be a healthier person all around. Who knows, I might even lose a few pounds in the process.

The Lord does indeed work in mysterious ways!

Until the next time...