Food at the Fair!

Boy, there's nothing like fall.  The cool and refreshing air.  The carpet of leaves on the damp ground.  The oranges and reds and yellows decorating the streets and yards.  The anticipation of pilgrims and pumpkin pie and families gathered together.
     And the State Fair.  O yes, the State Fair.
     I know some of you high-browed types don't darken the door of the State Fair...but I guess I'd put that in the category of unfathomable mysteries like not liking chocolate or sweet black labs or Handel's Messiah.
    Our family usually arrives within the first day or two of the opening.  This year we were down in our numbers but not in our enthusiasm. Here we are arriving...contemplating which food to eat first--

     I think we went with the tempura fried vegetables.  That's why Peter is not looking too excited at the moment.  But believe me, you can barely find the vegetables beneath all that yummy fried coating.  

     Then it was on to the Sunrise Cafe for burgers and hot dogs and other assorted health food--

     I was reminded of a picture we took just outside the Sunrise Cafe last year--our family gathered around Janie in her wheelchair.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for how far you have brought her.  Help us to remember our Ebenezer: "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." (I Samuel 7)  

     Yes, it was an extravaganza of gluttony for the Fountains.  Chicken gyros, funnel cake, elephant ears, corn on the cob, NC State ice cream, and, of course, honey cotton candy.  We're all feeling great today.  Well, except for the stomach woes, headaches, and tighter pants.  But it was worth it.  

     I had to take one picture of the place that had a million and one fried items--we're talking fried cheesecake, fried oreos, fried mac and cheese, fried cookie dough, fried sloppy joe sandwiched between kripsy kreme donuts (truly revolting--and Preyer actually ate one and lived to tell of it)--

     What a reminder--our God urges us "O taste and see that the Lord is good!  Blessed  is the man who takes refuge in Him!' (Ps.34:8) And "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Ps.119:103) 

      It's the delectable promises of God's Word where we will find lasting and joyous satisfaction to our heart's hunger.  Not in possessions.  Not in popularity.  Not in power.  Not even in pumpkin cheesecake fried on a stick.  God and His supernatural Word will fill our empty souls and satisfy our deepest longings.  O might we go to Him and eat of His ever-satsifying Word! 

      He will never ever disappoint. 

     And this year, the Fair didn't either.  As we left, I couldn't help but look back and praise the Father for the privilege of seeing and walking and laughing and eating.  

     To God--the Source of all that is good and great in our lives and is our joyous and complete Satisfaction--be all the glory.