Did you know that Detroiters eat an average of 7 lbs. of chips per year, as opposed to 4 lbs. in the rest of the country?  If it’s true, it must be due to the Better Made

snack company that has dominated the potato chip market in Michigan since it began in 1930.  As for me, I can say that these chips made me happy as a kid growing up in the Detroit area.  When I would walk into my grandparents’ home in the country on Lake Columbia, my eyes would quickly scan the top of the refrigerator.  I knew it was going to be a good visit if there was a family sized bag of Better Made potato chips up there!  The same was true at home, especially if there were any left after my dad had already snarfed his evening share of chips with a bowl of chocolate ice cream.  Yes, it’s genetic.   My family loved potato chips!  (I recommend the folded, slightly browned ones with the extra trapped salt and crunch!)

Flash forward a few decades and even today, a chip has the power to make me happy!  Of course I can’t justify the simple carbs and canola oil combination of Better Made potato chips on my special diet so I had to find a replacement.  Let’s see, if there was a crunchy treat that had relatively low salt, 4 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, no sugar, 14 grams of carbohydrate, and all non-GMO ingredients, would you go for it?  Well I checked them out and found my new favorite:  Beanitos are better and made for me!  The pinto bean and black bean varieties have clean ingredients and no guilt . . . unless you eat more than, say 12 chips!  Better buy a couple of bags or there might not be any left on top of your refrigerator tomorrow!  Or maybe they need to manufacture a Family Size Beanitos too?

Well that’s all fine and dandy but what does it have to do with finding hope while recovering from Lyme Disease?  In my life, having a treat, an escape, is an essential part of coping with the trials and suffering of this crazy illness.  The ingredients in Beanitos barely count as cheating on my protein-oil-vegetable diet!  I thank the Lord for the little things:  round crispy, slightly salty, and satisfying too!

Long before I would crash and burn this evening, paralyzed by seizure attacks with difficulty speaking, moving, and even feeding myself a sip of water, I imbibed in munching on a few chips.  I am grateful for such a simple pleasure as this to take my mind off of the nightly terrors that have been anything but pleasant these past few weeks.  When the health food section of our local grocery store remained sold out of my fav bean chips, I planned to head straight for the health food store as soon as I was well enough to drive.  My delight came today.  Yippeee!  Both flavors were in stock and “jumped” into my shopping basket as I walked by!  Those happy feelings were to fill my tummy once again.

God’s Word teaches us:

¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,^[f] Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hebrews 4

Yes.  Once again my Prince of Peace met me today in my time of need.  This day and always He satisfies my soul that cries out for His mercy when I am in times of crisis — and when I need a little treat as well.  Sometimes the little things mean a lot.  As for me and my refrigerator, we will keep a steady supply of crunchy treats within reach a while longer.  As for me and my house, under the spiritual leadership of my husband and best friend, we will serve and wait on the Lord.  In all things I am truly blessed.