Devotion #28

Hi, Everyone.
When I looked back at today's devotion, from my personal journal dated May 6, 2007, I enjoyed the experience all over again. It's less teaching, more experiential. I hope you enjoy it, anyway. 

     Early this morning, I woke up and started praying. I was feeling kind of anxious, and I knew I needed to get it out to God.
     It felt like God was asking me, "What's going on?" I told Him I wasn't sure, but just as I said that, I knew what I was feeling. I said, "Lord, I'll be honest. I know You've said I'll be a butterfly, but my fear is that I'll just allow You to shave off the fuzz from this fat caterpillar, and that's what I'll end up being...a naked, fat caterpillar!"
     I kid you not, right when I said that, I could "see" it, only the fuzz-free caterpillar that was looking at me had a mouth that looked like this:  ~
     That caterpillar's expression was SO FUNNY. I got tickled so, I had to get up and go in the library, where I could close the door and laugh, so I wouldn't wake up my husband. I laughed and laughed, and I believe I heard a "godly guffaw," as well. I laughed so hard, I was crying.
     Finally, I settled down, and the Lord gave me the following verse. I looked it up and really like the NASB version. II Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ [she] is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (I changed the "he" to "she," to personalize it.)
     I'm already a new creature, on the inside. Now, I must believe that God has made me a new creature on the outside, too. I know it will take time to show up.

Today, prayerfully consider who you are in Christ. Try to picture what that looks like, on the inside and on the outside. To help you express your gratitude to the Lord, take time to listen to this song, http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=96b7863e874558 24fcda.

I love hearing from each of you.
Blessings,
Mary

What a wounderful message for a WLS support forum!!!!   I love it, thank you.  I have been trying to give all of my weight loss "fears" to the Lord, and I know only he can help me.  It is just the flesh that keeps taking it back so he can't help me.  Thanks again Cindy

You're welcome, Cindy. I wasn't sure how it would be received. After all, it's not the traditional count calories/grams/whatever diet, but I've sure found that my weight issues are not only physical, but emotional and, especially, spiritual. You keep seeking the Lord, and I promise You that He will guide you and help you. He cares about every aspect of our life, even our weight. 
Blessings,
Mary

Mary,
I enjoyed your "caterpillar" story! I chuckled when I imagined her as well!

I really like your signature. I needed the analogy of the storm. I'm struggling right now with my weight issues and can't seem to budge the scales. That's my storm!

Blessings!
Janie

Hi, Janie.
I'm glad that you could see the caterpillar! She really had attitude!   I'm sorry that you're struggling with weight issues. Since you've been a member here for 3 years, may I assume that you've had surgery? I should have checked your profile page.
If there's anything I can do, please let me know. I am pre-op, and I've found a diet that's going to help me get the rest of the required pre-op weight loss to happen, for sure! That's an answer to prayer. I tried the dietician's diet, and I gained 2 lbs.! My body's just different, I guess, so I prayed about it, and God said, "Go back to what worked before." That's what I did.
God will help you, Janie. Just seek Him.
Blessings,
Mary