Two Year Anniversary in WDW
by Debby in GA
September 11, 1998
September 12 will be my two year anniversary in WDW and as I reflect upon these past two years in the desert (remember it took the Israelites 40!), I wanted to share a few of my feelings, a few of my ups and and few of my downs.
When I first heard about WDW, I KNEW this was the truth that would finally set me free!! The first few months was like a honeymoon - excitement, anticipation, submission. I lost weight, I cut my food in half, I used small plates, etc.(which God showed me they were just more rules I was making for myself) Then, during my 2nd time through, I lost my motivation, I got discouraged, I moped I complained, I returned to old habits and told myself all the old lies (I will never be free, etc).
I prayed, I sought the Lord, and He reminded me that this WAS THE ONLY truth that will set me free. I could go back to Egypt and forever be in chains, or I could keep trodding through the desert and keep my focus on Him. The next year was spent seeking God and getting to really know Him, learning to seek Him rather than the opinions of men, and most of all learning how to renew my mind - how to get rid of all the negative thoughts and habits and replace them with good thoughts of Jesus and His truths. Learning how to immediately repent and FORGET when I sinned rather than wallow in it and have a pity-party. Instead of pity parties, I learned how to have thanksgiving parties and how to count my many blessings.
By truly learning how to seek the Lord, He has reassured me of His love and His acceptance - He actually delights in me!!! He loves me even if I am overweight and if I am seeking to please Him, what does it matter what men think about my weight.
The Lord broke my bondage with the scale. I went from weighing 3 times a day, to not at all. He showed me that I do not need a scale to tell me if I have been obedient.
He broke my bondage with diets and diet books - I threw my whole collection (about 50 books) away!
For the most part, I no longer binge and if I do, I practice what I said above - I immediately repent and forget-I no longer have binges that last for days.
I have renewed friendships with people I had been avoiding for years because I felt ugly and fat--I thought they would not "like me" if my body was not perfect anymore (I was a prom queen years ago). I went to my 25th reunion, after not going before for the same reason.
He showed me the path He wanted me to take, that I needed to make healthier choices and has shown me what my body needs and does not need to function at its best, but He has also shown me that I have the freedom to choose whatever I want (within hunger and full).
No, I have not lost weight, Yes, I am still traveling across the desert. Am I disappointed -NO! I have so much more than the weight loss I started out to have. I have a relationship with Jesus - Jesus whom I truly have learned to love. I am learning to obey out of that love rather than out of fear or out of rules and laws. My chains are dropping and I know I will make it to the Promised Land. God has been patient and gentle with me, so I am going to be patient and wait on His timing for me. I will continue to obey Him, and let Him decide what He wants me to weigh, and I will not pout if it is not as fast as I think it should be.
He has shown me that He want my security to be in Him and not the weight loss. Sometimes I am willful and stubborn, but He gives me new beginnings, whenever I want them-He gives good gifts!!! Each day is a new day, each moment a fresh moment of grace.
.Speaking of grace, I am learning about His grace and learning to extend that grace to others. Not to judge or criticize if He is leading them down a differnt path than I am going-we are all unique and He will not lead us in the same way. What is okay for me, may not be for you, and visa-versa. If I am seeking Him, then I will not have time to worry about others and their journey.
So, I will keep trodding throught the desert - I am going to enjoy my journey. I will use every incidence of obedience or disobedience as a learning experience and consider even my steps backward as part of my journey--I will learn to go at God's pace for me. I will enjoy each day to its fullest and learn to see God in every moment, every part of nature, every person He brings into my life. I will learn to bring Him glory-even when times are rough (that is when we can bring Him the most glory.) He is worthy of all praise and glory!! I can hardly wait to cross the Jordan!! I can hardly wait to see you all on the other side!!
Happy trodding!!
Debby in GA
E-MAIL:
dsk43@aol.com
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