6:00 am Beauty, Christian living
People often comment on how thin my daughter is (pictured at her primary school graduation, 3 years ago now), and then look at me disbelievingly when I tell them I was just as skinny when I was a girl!
But as you will see from this old school photo of me in Year 6, it’s true. Check out the knobby knees! (And socks with sandals – what was I thinking??!)
In fact I weighed just 48kg on my wedding day, aged 23 – Miss 15 already weighs more than that!
These days I can’t do up the zip on my wedding dress – two children and quite a few kilos later! I’m just over the healthy BMI range for my height, but because there is a family history of heart disease and I have high cholesterol, I am following my doctor’s advice and trying to lose some weight.
If you’ve ever struggled with your weight you will probably identify with me when I say – “I love my food!” It’s not easy to pass up some of my favourite foods. But now I’m on a mission to shift a few kilos, I’m mostly able to keep to a sensible eating plan. But I admit there are days when I give into temptation and find myself feasting on chocolate, cheese, biscuits, or some other calorie-laden treat!
Afterwards I feel sick about my lack of self-control and willpower, and beat myself up mentally. It would be so easy to think, well that’s it, I’ve blown it now – may as well forget the diet and chuck it all in. But one of the things I have learnt about the weight loss journey is that even if you do blow it – and let’s face it, we all do! – the important thing is to start afresh the next day, and not let it sideline you permanently. Forget what went before, and make a new start every morning.
Which is just like our walk of faith really. How many times do we blow it and fall into sin – losing our temper, indulging in a bit of gossip, ignoring a person in need because it’s not “convenient”, think unkind thoughts about a family member.
But the beautiful thing about our Father God is that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22 – 23), and as we turn to Him he is faithful to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Forget the latest vitamin boosted cereal – God is the only one who can truly give us a fresh start every morning!
Whether it comes to weight loss or the Christian life, what are the snags that make you want to just give up?
Hi Michelle, I’ve found the loss of my mum this year has been a bit of a snag in my spiritual life – it’s opened a bit of a Pandora’s box but I love how patient God is with me. My other big snags are social media, and when I get too busy!
Posted by Webmaster, on November 29th, 2011, at 8:13 pm. #.
I think it’s unrealistic expectations that snag me, and my faith, and God encourage me to keep moving forward.
Posted by Michelle D Evans, on November 29th, 2011, at 7:25 am. #.