Portion Control

By Janet Morris Grimes –

Portion. I tend to think of it an individual serving. An allotment. The perfect amount. No more or no less than what I need.

Where food is concerned, especially during the holidays, my portions increase in size;  not because I need them, but rather, because the opportunity is there. There is much more to choose from, enticing trays of my favorites, beckoning me to pack on a few holiday pounds.

Clearly, it is in the best interest of my thighs to keep my food portions under control.

In the dictionary, ‘portion’ is defined in many different ways:

Portion – a part of a whole. A share.

Portion – an inheritance. The part of an estate that goes to the next of kin.

Portion – (as a verb) to divide out. This term is used often in worship songs and throughout the Bible. Each time, it takes on a different meaning.

Inheritance – “To you, I give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit” (Psalm 105:11 NIV)

Divide out – “She gets up while it is still night, and provides portions for her family” (Proverbs 31:15 NIV)

A piece – “This is your lot, the portion I have decreed for you…” (Jeremiah 13:25 NIV)

But it was in the oft overlooked book of Lamentations that I found my favorite use of this word.

“I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion, therefore I shall wait for him” (Lamentations 3:24).

Whatever I need on this day, God offers the perfect amount of it. He brings no more or no less than what I crave. He divides out my piece of Him in daily doses. He alone is my inheritance, and that is more than enough for me.

And in return, I am also His portion. A small piece of His whole, for I am nothing on my own. He tells me that I am more than enough for Him, and I find that quite comforting.

This much I know for sure, as I still sometimes struggle with portion control in everything from the size of my home to the amount of money in our account. He has gone to prepare a place for me. And it will be perfect in size, I am sure.

PRAYER: Dear God, Forgive me for the times that I yearn for more than what I need. Help me to rest in You. Your love and provision are more than enough for me and my family. I trust You and Your timing, for You have more than proven Your faithfulness to me. Therefore, I will wait for You.