Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

A while back we had the privilege to read a grade school kid's speech on staying active and fit. That brought back some childhood memories. As a farm/ranch kid, whoever thought about anorexia or obesity? We didn't have time for that and we certainly never heard of all the electronics that folks have at their fingertips today. Most of those items weren't even invented, way back then.

We had chores to do outside in the fresh air - all four seasons: winter cold, summer heat and delightful days of spring and fall. We were active and happy and had no trouble falling asleep every night.

Somehow, we knew that being active reduced chances of most diseases. It wasn't until some of our elderly neighbors moved to town that they got high blood pressure or had strokes from being wholly inactive. They'd been used to walking to bring the cows in to milk or working in their gardens. Now they drove three blocks to the grocery store or five blocks to the post office. TV was a big thing and who wouldn't be delighted to have a bag of chips to munch on while watching a favorite TV program.

Granted, they were elderly but maybe they should have been encouraged to stay active, both mind and body. Staying active and eating correctly is important and healthy. We've all heard: "Trying to stay active and fit sounds so boring and really not enjoyable, but it is a really big deal."

Reading 1 Cor. 6:19-20: "... do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore, glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

Love, Mara