Just As You Are

(It’s much later than my normal posting. I spent too much time chatting with my husband over coffee this morning! Normally, I am getting ready for work by this time so this post will be short, but hopefully it will minister despite it’s brevity.)

If you’ve been following my blog, you know that on Wednesdays I write about my weight loss journey. It was HARD to post today because I had a very upsetting and stressful week: the death of a family member; a dear, dear friend who’s little boy is having seizures and in the hospital etc. When I’m stressed or upset, I overeat. This is a habit I’m trying to break through prayer, exercise, meditation and sound eating; but it’s an uphill battle.

I normally weigh-in on Wednesdays, but I’m skipping today (which I don’t recommend) but my emotional reserve is low and I don’t want to completely tap myself out. So my plan to is to regroup, build up my inner strength by following all I know to do, and be ‘back in the saddle’ for next Wednesday.

But what I really want to share this morning is about a sweet, sweet lady I met at the Maranatha Bible Church last Saturday. (See earlier posts. I spoke at this church.) To be honest, I don’t even know her name, but she glowed in the Holy Ghost. Here is her picture (above) in case any of my readers know her name and can tell me.

In my talk to the women that day, I mentioned my weight issues and the ongoing struggle to surrender it to the Lord. She came up to me afterwards and said:

“I wouldn’t worry so much about your weight. You look beautiful, and God loves you just the way you are.”

She went on to say several more things to me that strengthened and encouraged me. I felt like she was an angel sent from God just to minister to me, like God did to Elijah after he’d been running from Jezebel and just slept and ate and wanted to die. Her sweet spirit refreshed me and renewed me.

I thank God for precious women of God like this sister who see beyond themselves and their own lives and offer a “cup of cold water in the name of Jesus”. Her words were like a cool, refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day.

May we all learn to accept each other just as we are – and to accept ourselves – JUST AS WE ARE. Yes, God wants us to continue to grow in Him, but often we are so hard ourselves. (I know I am)

So today, ” I will forget what is behind me and press toward my goal to the prize of the high calling.” Knowing my prize isn’t the weight loss – although that will be a nice benefit – but a deep acceptance of who I am in Christ Jesus – weight and all!