I've shared this story with three different friends. This posting is for Tammie who has bugged me to get it on my blog. Well....no...not actually "bugged me" but she sure has suggested it very strongly. So...Tam, this is for you!
I was truly sincere about my commitment to observe Lent this year. I knew it would be difficult because right away so many temptations were put before me; bereavement meals, Quilt show luncheon, and all that comes in-between. And we are so blessed to have fantastic cooks in our community!! But I withstood the temptations and stood firm.
Monday evening rolled around, our TOPS night. TOPS is a support group for dieters...Take Off Pounds Sensibly. I've been going to TOPS every Monday night with a group of friends for the past couple of years. This week every one was so tired from all the stress and work involved in a friend's death that they decided not to go. I, myself, was exhausted and decided not to go. But then....a thought crept into my mind. "I've been so faithful to my fasting, I'll bet....I'VE LOST WEIGHT!"
I was so anxious to get to the TOPS meeting! I couldn't wait to get up on those scales. In a very prideful manner, I stepped up on those scales and couldn't believe what I saw!! I had GAINED 3.75 pounds!! I was soooo disappointed and in disbelief!
And then, right there in the meeting room, of Knox County Hospital, God spoke to me in a very private way: "Jackie, are you fasting to lose weight or....are you going to honor Me with this commitment?"
It hasn't been often that I've been so ashamed before God. I had to repent right then and there; all this between me and God, in the privacy of my heart, amidst all the laughing and joking of the other women. Yes, I began with the right motive but I let 'flesh' enter in, making it a wrong, prideful motive.
God had his foot on the back of those scales. I don't doubt it for a moment. And He loves me so much that He wants me to love Him, enough to honor Him; not thinking about any "added benefits" of fasting.
I've been faithful in keeping the fast of no sweets. Not one grain of sugar has passed my lips since Ash Wednesday. But I don't think I'm going to weigh in again until after Easter. I'm putting weight loss on the back burner for a while.
I want to honor God.♥
8 comments:
That is inspiring!!! Thanks for your transparency.
And in math class I learned how to round numbers. mhuhuhmh...
You're a keeper!
Just more to love, God & I love U.
GOD IS GOOD; ALL THE TIME
whoa, that's good.
Jackie...We are so human. We sooo need a Savior. Thanks for sharing.
This is irrelavent to your post, but...
"I'm drowning in depravity here...including my own!"
well u know me..chocolate is only once a week but its a must!..ha
It's funny ... Scripture tells us to fast for the Lord, but cautions us to do it quietly, and not go about in sackcloth and ashes as if you were making a huge sacrifice. Fast for the Lord, and go about your day as if nothing is different.
Why? Because the Fast is between you and GOD, and nobody else's business. Otherwise you are pumping yourself up for the multitude rather than dealing with GOD in that quiet, personal way that HE prefers.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD does not include our daily prayers - "do them in secret" - or our sacrifices for GOD. Sharing the message - the Gospel - demands the noise.
Whoo-Hoo!
Great post, Toots!
How precious; your desire to honor God! My guess is that He delights in our desire to honor Him!! May your Lenten journey toward Easter bring you closer in your walk with Him!
many blessings~
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