Last year, I launched Wednesday Weigh-In on this blog.
Every Wednesday, (or most Wednesdays anyway) I wrote about my struggle to lose well over 100 pounds.
Well, here it is a year later, and, to be honest, I thought about not blogging on Wednesdays anymore because I only lost twenty pounds last year.
Then I remembered all of you.
Your willingness to encourage me.
To leave a comment.
To say a prayer.
To share your stories of struggle.
And I remembered the other wonderful support systems Jesus gave me.
Like my dad.
He shows me off to his friends just the same as if I was a size 5. (I love him for that.)
But he does worry about the effects the extra weight has on my health.
“I’m just worried about your ticker”, my dad will say.
Or my precious husband Buddy.
When we got married, I was a size 14. Now I’m almost double that, yet he’s loved me through all my sizes and always treats me like a princess.
Having a support system in place when trying to lose weight is crucial. Any weight loss expert will confirm this.
That’s why most national weight loss programs offer some sort of group meetings or one-on-one counseling.
Jesus knew this.
He designed us as communal beings.
We function better when we have others around us who love us and believe in us. The Holy Bible confirms this in Psalm 68:6:
“God setteth the solitary in families: …”
And Jesus even made provision for us if our families were not capable of being there for us:
“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” (Psalm 27:9)
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you…” (John 14:18)
Having an infallible support system is just one of the many benefits of living every day with Jesus. Even if friends and family fail you, Jesus is always there. He said so in Hebrews 13:5:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you…”
So tell me, who is your support system?
What is it about them that makes them someone you can lean on?
Let’s talk about the wonderful benefits of community this week and learn from one another.
Because, as I said, drawing strength from community is just another wonderful benefit of living every day with Jesus!