The fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears was well known for several generations of children. Like most of the older fairy tales it taught an important lesson. Like many illustrations it also seemed to teach another lesson that was very wrong. But somehow children of earlier generations were able to resist learning that it is alright to break into other peoples’ houses and steal from them while learning the important lesson of moderation — not too much and not too little.
This upcoming weekend is the United States’ national holiday for giving thanks to the creator God for His many blessings poured out upon us. For many Americans the celebration involves eating roast turkey. Typically about this time our news media run stories talking about the dangers of salmonella poisoning. Salmonella is caused by a bacteria that grows readily in the juices of uncooked birds like chicken or duck or turkey. Lawyers review all the packaging of foods sold in this country and want to be very sure that no one can successfully sue the stores and suppliers. So everyone is encouraged and instructed to be sure that the birds are cooked thoroughly.
Alas, all these fears result in many cooks believing that it is better if the turkey is cooked just a little longer. Sadly the meats of turkey and pork and seafood which are the subject of the greatest number of the scare stories about disease are all also meats which over cooking causes to become dried and almost tasteless when compared to the same meat cooked until it is completely done but still moist and flavorful. The point once again is not too much and not too little.
Sadly many people totally abandon this concept of moderation when they enter the realm of the Kingdom of God. God is love. Thus, love is not measurable. But the ways we express love are most often measurable. Yes, you can read the Bible too much or too little. Yes, you can spend too much time in church meetings or too little. Yes, you can pray in tongues too much or too little. Yes, you can sing songs of worship and praise too much or too little. Yes, you can speak to others about Jesus too much or too little. God’s gift to us is a sound mind and self-control. The fruit of Holy Spirit includes self-control. Sound minds and self-control are made evident in our choices to not do too much and not do too little.
The enemy wants us to make our decisions on the bases of our feelings — feelings of guilt, lust, fear, anger, hatred, et cetera. Our feelings often lead us to extremes.
God does not want us to follow our feelings. His desire is for us to follow the voice of Holy Spirit, who always leads us to a balanced life in the presence of Jesus. Slow yourself down. Relax and listen to the one who loves you most deeply. You have time to hear Him tell you of His love for you. Just enjoy His presence in your life. He thinks you are delightful.
His, thus Yours,
Stuart
His-Family 
Thank you. There is so much peace to be found in being loved and listening to Holy Spirit for directions for the day.
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