For other people with monk tendencies

            I just have a few thoughts for this post which is about appetites and hunger.  Sometimes when people really want to be a good person and pray a lot and accomplish some kind of great service and sacrifice, they try to be strict and disciplined in many ways.  Jesus did say to deny yourself and following Christ does involve great sacrifice in a way that is often habitual.  But everyone needs love and attention and food and happiness.  People can get frustrated by hunger and find that it interferes with their lifestyle goals and keeps them from being as strict or dedicated as they wanted to be, or maybe... seem.  But I have found that these appetites can actually be some of the best things we have going for us as we try to live a good life and do what we are supposed to.  Appetites can keep us honest and connected to others, and relatable.  Going ahead and letting yourself get some attention and eat some yummy food not only keeps you happy and healthy enough to serve people well, but it can be an act of service itself, or put you in the situations where you see other people's needs that you can help with.   Most of all, it can prevent the hypocrisy of always trying to seem better than people. If eating a big plate of food with a friend or hero can be the greatest secret weapon against one of the worst sins, I would say that is the deal of a century and from now on I am only going to read my Bible if I also get ice cream.