Dare to Live: Devotions for Those Over the Hill, Not Under It.

Review by Nancy
In 1991, Elizabeth Van Liere lost her husband and her entire life for a little while. She regained faith in a very humorous way and took up something she has enjoyed all her life – writing. Her ability to take an event and turn it into a lesson is wonderful and I hope there are more books coming from her soon.

This collection of Christian thoughts is a must read! The stories are timely, the thoughts make YOU think as well and the questions are for soul-searching. My very favorite was near the beginning and titled: “A Crown of Grey Hair.” I’m certainly getting my own and reading her thoughts on greying made me feel a bit better inside. A book of stories, devotions and Scripture quotes for everyone – even if you aren’t a Senior Citizen.


Chocolates Are Yummy, But God Is Sweeter
(from Dare to Live, Devotions for Those Over the Hill, Not Under It)


So then whatever you eat or drink or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.
I Corinthians 10:31 (Amplified)

What is the first goodie to disappear on a dessert table during the fellowship hour at church? Anything chocolate—especially brownies. Ask those among you who is a chocoholic and hands are lifted high with the enthusiasm of a praise and worship band. And happy day! I just read, “Dark chocolate is good for you.” Those words push aside my guilty feelings when I let a piece of chocolate slowly melt in my mouth.

It’s not so much the one piece I savor. It’s when I buy a box of chocolates. Not a huge box—no more than a double layer of brown nuggets. One of my daughters-in-law can buy a Hershey’s candy bar and eat one square a day. Not me. I open the box … slowly inhale the aroma … linger over the choice. Will it be a chocolate-covered caramel, a chocolate-covered truffle, or a crunchy chunk filled with nuts?

I snatch the truffle and shut the box.

Moments later the lid is off again. Just one more piece, then I’ll stop.

Sin is like my addiction to chocolate. To live as God wants me to live, especially in light of His grace, requires that I develop self-control in all things—including chocolate. Paul tells us we are to glorify God at all times. This includes eating, drinking, working or playing. “I will not be mastered by anything,” Paul told the church at Corinth.

Chocolates are only one of God’s gifts to us. Gobbling one piece after another means the object masters us instead of our being the master, just as overindulging in anything can rule our lives. God’s sweetness is more important than craving for chocolate. Do you suppose a chocolate obsession reveals a soul that is weak and easily led astray?

Prayer
Heavenly Father, You know I cannot keep my hand out of the box of chocolates by myself. I need Your help. So let my eyes skip over the sale at Walgreens for chocolates. Keep my eyes on the road ahead instead of to the side where Stouffers beckons. Grow self-control in me in everything, so all I eat, drink, or do glorifies You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A Step Further
Proverbs 25:16; I Corinthians 9:24-27

Building Blocks of Faith
Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Questions
Why do I feel I can indulge myself just because I’m elderly?
Does it really matter if I take four pieces of candy instead of one?


Author Bio
Elizabeth Van Liere ‘s first story, “The Early Bird,” sent in with numerous mistakes, was published by Child Life in 1961. Since then, with much learning, her inspirational articles, poetry, children’s stories, and devotionals have found homes. Now, some fifty years later, at age 87, her first book is available: Dare to Live, Devotions for Those Over the Hill, Not Under It.

Elizabeth’s husband died in 1991, but she kept busy helping her daughter raise four sons. Others in her family: three sons, ten grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren. She loves the chance to visit them all, in Colorado and from California to Virginia, North Carolina, Florida and Germany.