It amazes me how quickly Wednesdays roll around.
I started this year proclaiming that I would post each Wednesday my determination to lose 100 pounds. Well to date, I’ve only lost about 20 pounds, which is not much for being 8 months into it. But one of the best things that has come out my commitment to blog about it is how others have reached out to me and offered encouragement, affirmation, and support.
Readers like you and my family and friends have really gone out of their way to encourage me – not only in losing the weight, but in telling me what I mean to them or how my writing has helped them. In short, they let me know one way or another that if I never lose another pound, that’s okay with them because I’m a beautiful person just the way I am.
Take for example an email I got from my mom just this morning. Now I know she’s my mom and you’re probably thinking that mom’s are supposed to be all mushy-gushy etc. To a point that is true, but what you may not know is that my mom is very attractive and always has been. She is not quite 5′ tall and weighs probably 110 pounds soaking wet. While I am 5’4″ and weigh more than twice that. As you can see, for her to acknowledge my inner beauty means a lot to me because I’ve always admired her outer beauty. Here’s just a part of what she wrote:
“… Maybe, just maybe, your genetic makeup isn’t to be a thin person. As long as you are healthy etc. that is what is important. … We open magazines, turn on the telly and fashion is about thin. I look at the latest fashion and all the clothes are designed for people who are size 0, that is slowly changing …real women have curves….”
A mother’s wisdom is always good isn’t it? And she’s right about the fashion magazines etc portraying very thin women. Even the majority of the plus size stores use thin models.
And then there is my precious friend Vlatka who gave me a delightful little book this weekend called “How to Eat Like a Tree” by Dara Boland. In the flyleaf Vlatka wrote: ” I can’t wait to see the fruits that this book, Jesus, and our friendship are going to bring forth.” What words of strength and refreshing! Vlatka is also very thin and beautiful. She sincerely prays for me and my weight issues and often offers encouraging words to me.
Today, on this particular Wednesday Weigh In, I give honor to you my reader for caring enough to stop by my blog and see how I’m doing. And I give honor to my mother, my friend Vlatka, and all my other friends and family who see something in me that I’m not completely convinced of yet. And interestingly enough, this drawing strength from one another is part of living everyday with Jesus. You see God created us for community. We need one another. At least I know for sure that I need you.
Blessings and strength to you today my friend.
Until next time…
Debbie
Don’t give up Debiie. I’ve struggled all my life with my weight. Your not alone! Just keep trying, even if its just a little a day or week or month, its better than nothing. Love you!
Thanks Linda! You made my day… and I WILL keep trying… 🙂
Thank you Debbie for the compliment and for being encouragement to many of us with Everyday With Jesus. I was reading my Bible this morning and I came across this verse: Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35-36
What a beautiful EVERYDAY WITH JESUS this is – to never go hungry or thirsty because His presence nourishes our every cell, muscle, bone with His Presence and His Holy Spirit.
And at the end of the Book of John chapter 6 there are verses that left me with sadness, because the ones who were everyday with Jesus at the end decided:
“On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” (…)
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. John 6:66 (look at the number of verse?!)
I prayed this morning that my feet never walk away from Jesus, and I thanked God for having you in my life to remind me that He is still walking beside me!
Thanks Vlatka!! What a very beautiful and thoughtful post. You are so right on about the differences between those who choose to live everyday with Jesus and those who do not. Know I’m sending lots of hugs and prayers your way!