MONDAY!  Phew, I am actually really glad today is Monday…  After two weeks of solid traveling, I’m thankful to be back in a routine!

FOOD

I’m excited to share today’s breakfast sandwich with you.  It’s hardly a stroke of genius, but the concoction makes me happy none-the-less.

Mmmm, what a tasty way to start the day!

Tasty Breakfast Sandwich
Serves 1.  Dairy-free.  Gluten-free optional*.

• half an English muffin, toasted (I use the 7-grain Ezekiel English muffins!)
• 1/4 an avocado
• 1 tbs onion, chopped
• garlic salt + pepper, to taste
• small handful of spinach
• small handful of alfalfa sprouts
• 1-2 oz deli turkey
• 1 whole egg, fried

While toasting the English muffin, prepare the avocado spread by mashing in the chopped onion, garlic salt, and pepper into avocado with fork.  Spread onto muffin.  Layer spinach, sprouts, turkey, and egg.  Top off with salt and pepper to desired taste.

Enjoy!

*Ezekiel bread, although healthier than other breads, is not gluten-free.  If you have a gluten intolerance or have celiac disease, you may want to find a completely gluten-free alternative for this tasty sandwich.

 

FAITH

I came across this gem in Proverbs this morning:

In the end, people appreciate frankness far more than flattery.  -Proverbs 28:23

Ahh, as a natural people-pleaser, this one speaks to me.

I’m definitely guilty of defaulting to flattery when it comes to addressing someone’s need for correction or honest opinion.  I often tell myself it is because I genuinely want to see that person feel good and be happy, but at the end of the day, I’m actually doing that person a disservice by not being completely honest with them.

Flattery can be a dangerous sin.  Paul observes in James 3 that the tongue, although small, has the potential to do “enormous damage,”  just as a tiny spark can set off a great forest fire.  It can both praise God and curse others.  Both encourage and spout curses.  The tonge is a powerful thing!

So if my tongue is spewing flattery instead of honest criticism, how am I loving my neighbors?  Although the flattery may make them feel good for a moment, they are still made unaware of the truth.

I have a friend that struggles with gossip.  But instead of lovingly pointing out when her conversation goes there, I affirm that she is simply “informing” others or sharing others personal matters out of “concern for them.”  I am coddling her for the sake of flattery.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve let slide the words: “I don’t want to gossip, but…”

At the end of the day, my people-pleasing inclination to flatter is pure selfishness.  I’d rather have that person like me for the nice things I say about them than help empower them to be a better follower of Christ by being honest with them.  The most loving thing I can do for someone, and to God, is be lovingly frank rather than flatter.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you struggle with flattery?  Have you ever thought of it as a form of sin before?