April 3, 2012

Good morning all,

This is a week when people focus on the cross, the need for a savior and all the details of Easter. I PRAISE God for the work of the cross in my life in so many areas. I understand my response to God's love poured out for mankind and me (AND YOU) during that time, but I want us to grasp the hope that flows beyond the cross. Jesus came to give us LIFE and that LIFE abundant. I never really got that when I spent 90% of my time depressed over the state of my health. I could never see that things would ever be different until this life was over. I was consumed with hiding my eating habits, my body, and my disappointment that God had not DELIVERED me from this hell hole I lived in. I was too weak to understand my own willfulness in the destruction of my health and blamed everybody I could find - including God. I'm sorry, but that is the truth. But I tell you, on the other side of depression, and on the other side of prison - there is LIFE and abundant LIFE in my body. However.......I could no longer blame others. I had to fight my way free.

I went to see Act of Valor with my husband Saturday (lots of cussing, but the story line was powerful). I wondered if I would have the MIND and the FIGHT to find my way free from such a desperate situation??? Could I maneuver and make the quick calls that it took for that tactical team to survive? It really caused me to think. But you know what - that is EXACTLY what we do daily to fight obesity. (some of you are saying "really - not for your very life") I entered this journey with a plan, as those men did. But once the enemy was clearly revealed - it was war! All of the sudden life became a battle in those first few months - desire over health.......life over death.......joy over depression. Then, a resting period. Then another battle - then a resting period. BUT I TELL YOU THIS - MY HEALTH IS WORTH THE STRATEGIC MOVES TO MAINTAIN FREEDOM. But, the battle never stops. Freedom, in the area of health, is sometimes a daily battle. Even yesterday while at Atlantic Station, someone tried to get me to eat a fried piece of shrimp - which I love. "Just one bite......it won't hurt you." For a split second I almost grabbed it and then an "Act of Valor" moment - NO. I must defend the integrity of my health. If it was grilled or boiled - yes. "Come on, Kathy, that's over the top." Yes, but I was deep in the hole with the bad guys and it wouldn't take MUCH until they infiltrated my "soil" again. (movie talk) :)

Life beyond the cross, life beyond obesity, life beyond the trap of a singular piece of fried shrimp. Abundant life was promised to me - I WANT it. I choose it and I choose to fight for it on multiple levels. How about you? It's a promise.
I am praying for us ALL this week that we live beyond the cross in a level of freedom that no one understands, but we completely are filled with gratitude that God desires that for us and promised it to us.

Abundant life - PRAISE God! PK