God Speaks Through Social Media

"God speaks through social media?" Jolie has lost her ever-loving mind. I can hear you all saying that. I don't disagree. But He did speak to me today in several ways, and I can't wait to share it with you! God is awesome! (Sung to the tune of "Everything is Awesome" from The Lego Movie).

Back-story - I am having a small flare up of the cellulitis that put me in the hospital 2 years ago. So, I had to go to the doctor for some antibiotics today. While I was waiting 2 things happened.

1. I was on Facebook, and I saw this post from The Praying Woman - "Your stumbling block will become your stepping stone. Watch God turn it around." Wow. Pretty profound. That really touched my heart. 
2. The AWESOME nurse practitioner at my doctor's office came out to the waiting room to chat with me while I waited. (We bonded during that fateful incident 2 years ago - see above). Well, as I was talking to her about my weight loss and exercise, I told her about the book Made to Crave, and referenced my favorite verse - 1 Corinthians 10:23 - Everything is permissible, but not all things are beneficial. I explained how that had really freed my soul to food, because it showed that I CAN eat what I want, but it might not be beneficial to me. 

Then, I saw the doctor, and talked to her about my journey and the Bible Study, got my prescriptions (and a pat on the back for the weight loss), and went back to work.

But I just kept thinking about that statement from Facebook. God could use my stumbling block for a stepping stone? Hmmm...Then I realized. God IS USING my STUMBLING BLOCK as a STEPPING STONE! Yes. Food is my stumbling block. Lack of self-control is my stumbling block. But through this journey, God has used it to teach me things about myself I never would have known. And not only that - Now I have a way to tell people how God has worked in my life. I have never been one who felt "worthy" to talk about God a lot. But, today, I shared how God has worked in my life with 3 women. And didn't bat an eye. I was so excited to list all of the changes in my life, and that the main thing I have done differently this time is to include God in the journey.

Then, I was browsing around on Pinterest, and saw this:

Wow. Isn't that essentially what God had told me earlier? Don't be ashamed of that stumbling block, use it as a stepping stone on how HE has made a difference.

Finally, I started reading my new book, A Heart Like His, by Beth Moore. It is a study of the life of David. And I journaled pages and pages about that, let me tell you! But the gist of chapter 1 was this: God CHOSE David. It was not a coincidence. It was purposeful. He chose a lowly shepherd to lead His people. And God chose me. I have always believed God chose me to be a speech pathologist, because I absolutely adore my profession! But maybe God chose me for something else. Maybe He chose me to have the weight problem, so that I can witness to others in the same place. That lonely, empty, forlorn place where you think there is no hope. Because there is hope. I am living proof (and 50+ pounds less of living proof). Last March, I would have NEVER seen myself here. It was God's plan, and God's strength.

That said, I am going to leave you with some throwback music.  All this talk of God choosing David reminded me of one of my favorite songs from my youth. Here is a little Ray Boltz and "Shepherd Boy."

Blessings to you, my friends!

Miles and miles

Happy Spring Break, friends! This is morning #2, and I am NOT lighting the world on fire like I had planned today! You see, there is something about not being in school that makes me want to stay up all night reading and sleep all day. So, yes, I stayed up late reading last night. I got up with good intentions on going to the Wellness Center prior to starting my day, but...It didn't happen. Now I am procrastinating a shower. If it were not for horrible roots, and the need for some love from the world's best hairdresser, I would be going back to bed!

Now, for a brief word about my title today. Last night, I went to the Wellness Center a little frustrated. I overslept yesterday and missed Aqua Zumba, which we all know I love. Then, I fell victim to the time change, forgot to change the clock in my van, and missed my aqua aerobics at 5:30. Continuing on with the theme of the day, Dan and I had a miscommunication, and it ended up being late when I went to the gym. And I was a "little" frustrated when I got there. But I didn't let that stop me. I used it to my advantage, got on that treadmill, and walked! And Walked! And Walked some more. 2 miles. Now, I know for a lot of my friends, you are just warming up in 2 miles. But this was the first time I ever did it. It was a little over 3k, and I have a goal of walking a 5k. I didn't really set a time frame, but now I actually feel like that goal is in reach! Maybe GumTree? I don't know, though. I am still VERY apprehensive about doing it. It might take me 40 forevers to finish!

Oh - And FYI -

83 Days Until Surgery!!!

A Week Later

Well, I should be 1 week post-op now, and it didn't happen. Oh well. In His time not mine. The past few weeks have been rough on me. I have had a pity party, and jumped off the wagon with both feet. Well, not both feet, but I did have a cupcake at school last week when a sweet boy wanted to share. And I did succumb to a Diet Pepsi or 2 over the weekend. But, I didn't buy any to bring home, and I drank them in moderation.

Today, I had a little time to do some catch-up reading on my Made To Crave book. (I had gotten a wee bit behind.) Guess what. I realized what has been wrong with me this past week or so. I haven't been reading and studying the Bible. I haven't been praying. I guess I was having a little passive-aggressive disagreement with God. Because I am NOT happy about waiting. I am doing it, but I don't like it. And oh boy, did God open my eyes and step on my toes today! They are ALL bruised up!

Now, I have had the hardest time ever figuring out how to "study" the Bible, and this book. Seriously. (Yeah, I know - Master's degree and doesn't know how to "study the Bible.") Well, I finally decided that for me it would work best to study it like I would anything else. Reading, and taking notes on what I read. So, I found this fun little on-line journal (penzu.com). There's even an app for it. And I have been reading and journaling, especially throughout the Made to Crave book study. So, tonight I am going to share a few things I found VERY important in my reading. Lysa Terkeurst really has some awesome insights into this whole eating thing!

Chapter 13: Overindulgence
Now, let me preface this by saying if you are a Baptist (or any other Southern denomination), you may get your toes stepped on here. She talked about gluttony in the church. What, you say? Gluttony in the church? Yep. The pot-luck meal where we stuff ourselves. You know, the one that is best on Sunday after church. That one. But she also talks about overindulgence in anything (food, alcohol, etc.) is gluttony. Proverbs 23:20 -21 says, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge on themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Well, FYI - This was me. I gorged. And guess what. Not because I was hungry, but because I was looking for something to fill myself up because I was spiritually empty.

So, with that said, what do we do? Food is not alcohol or nicotine. I can't quit cold-turkey. It is a requirement. With that said, Lysa reminded me of the Isrealites. Remember them? We studied about them in Truth Trackers earlier this year. The Isrealites, who complained of slavery, so God set them free. Then, they complained because they were hungry, and God provided them with the manna from heaven? Well, if you go back and read in Exodus 16, you will see that God commanded the Isrealites to only gather enough manna for one day. The only day they could gather more was the day before the Sabbath, then they could gather two days worth of manna. Well, these complainers started gathering as much as they could, even though it was provided fresh for them every day. (Can you imagine - no grocery stores? Just walking outside and picking up what you needed to eat? Not a horrible situation!) But I digress. Anyway, so they are gathering up all of this manna, and you know what happened? It rotted. Moldy, nasty manna. When there was all they could eat provided fresh for them each day. Now, why did this happen? Well, today's reading really opened my eyes. God wanted them to learn to depend on Him DAILY. God will provide DAILY what we need. Not go to church on Sunday, gather what we can, and spread it out through the week. God wants us to need Him, Want him, and desire Him DAILY.  In Lamentations 3:22 it says, "Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for HIS compassions NEVER fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness, I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; there I will wait for him."

 Hmmm....The Lord is my portion. My portion of love. My portion of food. My portion of everything I need. I need portion control, and God is there to provide it for me. All I have to do is ask and trust. I saw this on Pinterest today, and I really thought it summed this up:

 

He is my portion! He will provide the self control!