Turkey Sandwich for Breakfast? Yes Indeed.

Yesterday I had a leftover turkey sandwich for breakfast. Strange beginning to a blog post but here's why it's so amazing to me...

For years, I avoided meat like the plague and carried with me an ever rising fear of being out of control with my weight. In hot pursuit of keeping the fat OFF my body, I thought cutting out meat from my diet would be a safe route. Wrong. Because for me, it didn't stop at cutting out that particularly undesirable food group. I eventually had a small handful of 'acceptable' foods that became a way of life for me....a way of life that promised to lead me to my grave. BUT GOD are two of the most beautiful words I have ever heard and experienced. BUT GOD, in His great mercy, pulled me out of a hopeless pit of self destruction. SO thankful for big reminders of God's goodness towards me...all from a turkey sandwich.

The first portion of one of my favorite worship songs perfectly describes where I used to be:

 



I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still

 

 

And now, thank God, this is my new way of living:

 

 

But as I ran my hell-bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is GRACE

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

 

~Soveriegn Grace Music

 

 

 





All things NEW(er).

Looking back on past years can sometimes be disheartening, but this is not the case for 2012.  This past year marks one of VICTORY and the surest of all freedoms...freedom form anorexia, freedom from a life of striving to achieve perfection (something I was never meant to have), freedom from dependence, and freedom from satans power over my life. MUCH to be grateful for as I move into a brand new year holding tightly to the very promises that will enable me to continue walking in victory.

June 8, 2012 represents a day of declaration as I graduated from a treatment center called Vision of Hope: http://www.faithlafayette.org/voh/. I received a beautiful ring as a reminder of what God has saved me from: years of chasing after death. Inscribed inside this ring, is the word ALIVE, chosen by my Counselor and it proves to be a constant assurance of His plan for my future. Psalm 118:17 says this of which I wholeheartedly claim: "I will not die, but I will LIVE and proclaim what the LORD has done."

HE also redeems time. In Joel 2:25, God declares: "I will restore the years that the swarming locusts have eaten." I thank God for this as I have certainly seen many "locusts" in my day. SO thankful that His promises are true for me too.

I have no clue what this New Year holds, but I do know Who holds me and that is enough: "I am my beloved and my Beloved is mine." Song of Solomon 6:3

Reasons for JOY in 2102:

Moving HOME to Warsaw in January, getting my CNA certification, being there for my nephews birthday parties, VOH and all that it means to me, cherished friendships that will last a lifetime, getting to work for the kindest, most patient employer EVER, my April, living independently, paying my own bills (never would have thought this would be a reason for Joy), getting to meet my third nephew, breath taking laughter, shopping trips, guilt free frappes, and being wanted and LOVED
 by a God who never EVER gave up on me. :)

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20: "And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life -- that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for JOY."