Reflections from one year ago, the day God gave me hope again....

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I walked in and immediately I noticed that she was glowing.  I was meeting my friend who had been my personal cheerleader my entire weight-loss journey for coffee.  When I saw her smile, hope grinned.  Her success at losing 15 pounds was more than obvious.  She was absolutely glowing with joy.  I wanted what she had.  I wanted hope.

She had gotten her vibrant health plan back under control and was eating right.  She spoke life into my hurting heart.  As she told me of her success, with each sip of coffee and with each tear dropped, I realized a hard truth that day.  I had to make some changes.  I was in a desperate and pivotal place, I had lost my will to try.... again.  

I felt hopeless.  

I wanted change,  I needed change, and I needed hope to carry on.  I was desperate for that hope that she had found.  In those hopeless moments, I realized I had to give up food....once again.  

That was the day that hope stuck hard in my throat.

For me losing weight has always been a spiritual battle.  In fact, my journey of losing 104 lbs several years ago was really just the start of my freedom from food.  And when I achieved my goal, I then lost sight of it, because I didn't know how to maintain the loss.  

It was a brand new day on Sept. 24, 2012 as I swallowed my pride, confessed my food addiction, and asked God for hope.  I woke up desperate and hungry, but I was willing to make some drastic changes to get some hope back.  I was hungry to get that hopeful gleam back into my eyes.  I wanted the hope to fill my smile and the glow from my hope-filled soul.

I took a step towards hope. 

Now 58 pounds lost and a year later, I have hope again.  I not only gained hope but I gained a better perspective of how to make healthy changes that make a difference.  I simply made one change at a time.  I considered the costs, I submitted my self-centered addiction-stacked desires and gave up foods I didn't need, to move forward toward my goal.  

In my loss I have gained hope.  Honestly it was always there, it was just sugar-coated,  soaked in coffee creamer, and smothered in salad dressing.  Who can see hope when it's buried under all those preserved calories?  

So do you need a little hope today?  If you looked at the scale this morning and didn't like what you saw, would you be brave enough to admit you have been a little hopeless in your resolve?  Can you give up just one thing today that will give you a hopeful tomorrow?  

I have forgotten what I wanted to eat so bad that caused my strong resolve to cave.   You can have the hope of being God's best too.  If you have 10 pounds or 210 pounds, whatever the amount, the change that God wants to do in you is knocking on the door of your heart.  And in exchange, God slips in some hope that will feed your soul in more ways than that chocolate chip cookie ever could.  So much more...

Do you need a little hope today?  Will you take a step towards hope?  YOU can do it just like I did.  All you  need to do is start...

Something You Need To Know To Be Brave

Have you ever noticed that life's biggest moments often happen quietly?

No one noticed that you sent that encouraging email. Or only you know that you forgave your offender. You've been fasting for how many days now? You signed up to go on that mission trip to where?

Most times, when we step out in faith we do it in silence.

I like it when God’s silent whisper is somehow louder in our hearts than the clamoring hard beats inside our chest. You were finally brave enough to say yes.

Don't look longingly back at your comfort zone and wish you were still there. You can't see God's next step when you have your neck turned to your past.

It's oddly silent here though and something is missing.

Don't you wish sometimes you had your own cheering section? One who lifts their poms poms in the air and say "we are proud of you". Would it make a difference to say out loud that you wrote that letter of forgiveness to your friend? Or do people really need to know that that you serve the homeless dinner every Tuesday night? 

Would that make you feel worthwhile to know that your acts of service were noticed?

Would you love more if you if you felt more loved?


Today, let me just give you a pat on the back. You are doing better than you think you are. You're not a failure. I just needed to say that to you.  If you are feeling low and don't think anyone cares, there is One who does. Even when you don't care for yourself. He knows what you are going through.

If you are facing a situation and you have to be brave one more day you think you are going to crumble under the pressure, then I just want you to lean in close....I know what you are going through and you are going to make it.

God says this....to your heart today...."You may feel insignificant, but I love you."

Whether you are taking a big step forward, or a small step back...don't forget to keep in step with the one who is your real over-the-top cheerleader. He is cheering you on 24/7/365 days and counting...and he always has something good to say about you.

So if you have to be brave or strong, you need to know that you are doing good. You are. Don't base the outcome of your day on how you feel about yourself.

Don't rely on your feelings to guide you. Keep moving towards the One who loves you more than you could ever imagine. There’s no limit to what He can do in and through you if you let him, and you pack your willing heart.

It always takes a step of faith to get to the Promised Land. And if you wait until you’re unafraid, you’ll never cross the bravery line. Perhaps you’re in the middle of a wondering moment too, where God is asking you to be brave and you are feeling really timid and unworthy.

If you are taking your own step of courage, then please hear me...I am cheering for you. You may not be able to hear, you may not be able to see, but know this....you are not doing this alone.

Be brave...with nothing holding you back. Don't forget who God is and what he can do. With His courage you can. You can do what he has called you to do. You can do it if you rely on Him to give you what you need. He is cheering for you too.