“See, the former things have taken place and new things I declare; before they spring into being, I announce them to you.” Isa 42:9“Isaiah 43:19- “See? I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
If you know me, you know that my weight has been the source
of struggle for me, due to medications I take or have taken (for example, IV
steroids). Recently there has been a new
serious push on my part to finally chip away at the hundred pounds I need to
lose. That number sounds daunting, doesn’t
it? But I have a good friend whom I met on SparkPeople.com, which is a site for
people who are attempting to live healthier lives at a healthier weight. This friend of mine has lost 225
lbs. Imagine that! She has been a great source of inspiration
and her encouragement has kept me going.
Last week I broke through the 100/200 junction, crossing
into the one hundreds. I was ecstatic. And today I weighed myself in terror because
I have had a couple of days where I really struggled with hunger and thus had
eaten more than is normal for me of late.
Sure enough. 202 lbs. I was
crushed. And then I got angry. How can a
piece of glass and metal ruin my day? I have been trying to wrap my mind (and
my emotions) around the fact that the scale is just metal and glass and weight—is
just a number. Neither determine my worth. Neither should have the power to
spoil my day. It’s true that it is a
small setback--but it Is one that can be reversed in a day or two of eating
like I need to eat.
After I weighed myself this morning I took out the journal I
have been keeping for my weight loss and health pursuit. I wrote down three
statements that I want to share with you.
1)
Today is a new day on the cusp of a new year. Do
not look back at successes or failures. Let God do a new thing in you! Do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19 – see above)
2)
You have an ocean of wisdom and power at your
fingertips—just the other side of an “Amen.”
3)
Your day is the stuff of your creation. Your hours are canvas. Your moments are paint. And your seconds are
your brushes. Create a thing of beauty
with today.
Whatever your struggle is today—whether it is weight or something
else, don’t allow it to have power that it does not and should not hold. Give It to God and then declare it settled
and move on. Make today beautiful. Strive to create moments today that will be a
good memory for tomorrow.
2 comments:
Cynthia,
You have so much wisdom, strength and insight despite all you have endured, and continued to endure, in a most challenging life. You are very inspirational yourself although I realize you look for inspiration elsewhere...and find it. I have written down your words "Don't allow it to have power that it does not have and should not hold." This is something I need to remember but it is so easy to react immediately with anger and disbelief about injustice and cruelty or apathy. Things are only as powerful as we make them and I thank you for reminding me of this. Why let something made of glass and metal measure your immense worth as a person? It is what we have been taught by society but you are seeing through this now and know your worth cannot be measured by a scale.Your worth is not determined by your possessions for they are just material things we basically "rent" in life. Some of the most awful people (celebrities as an example) own mansions and lots of beautiful "stuff" but are they are not real, moral people who are adding to society. No they are just celebrated for being famous and being hollow examples of what wealth and power stand for---nothing that matters. You have what matters..a beautiful, strong, courageous soul and a positive attitude despite a life that would have most people gone long ago and wallowing in despair. You keep trying, keep lifting up your spirit and widening your heart. You are a true inspiration to many and and have survived what 99.9% of the population could not. Be proud of yourself and that you are still here and still creating through words and images. You are stronger than you know and an asset to society. Celebs may have all the fancy stuff their little efforts got them but they lack soul and honesty and courage. They could not make it in the world you have lived in--hey, they might break a nail and have to have the manicurist make a house call! You are a beautiful person inside and out and are far stronger than you know . I wish you peace and an easing of your heart. Barbara
Dear Barbara,
Firstly, please accept my apologies for not seeing this comment sooner. It's a month later and I just read it for the first time.
Thank you so much for the wonderful things you said about me. I hope they are true...but I am only a human full of human failings. If I help others by my example or my words, then I praise Jesus. That is all I can hope for.
Thank you for reading my words here and for taking the time to comment. God bless and keep you!
Cynthia
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