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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Home (01/09/06)

TITLE: I'm Fat
By Debbie Sickler
01/16/06


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I am fat. Not fat, fat, but fat enough to pass up the junior-miss department with a sigh. Why is that such a hard thing to admit? Anyone looking at me can tell that the sand in my hourglass has settled at the bottom. So why is that such an uncomfortable statement to make? Perhaps it’s because I was slender once.

Throughout my teens and early twenties, it’s true I was thin. Probably too thin even. Of course, I wasn’t smart enough at the time to enjoy it while it lasted. People would cast envious stares at me and say things like, “I bet you can eat whatever you want too, huh?”

The simple answer was, “Yes”.

I was thin and I could eat what ever I felt like. If that meant a quarter pounder with cheese, large fries and a giant soda, followed by a huge bowl of ice cream late at night, it didn’t matter. I was thin. That’s how I’d always been. That’s how I’d always be.

Or so I thought.

As a teen, I was what some people would call ‘flat chested’. I’d call it more like ‘non existent chested’. I actually desired to be fat, just long enough to get a couple of lumps in the right places. Then I’d simply lose the weight while keeping the much-desired ‘lumps’.

I had no idea what I was wishing.

Well, I got my lumps. And then some. And some more. Now I don’t even recognize myself. When I catch a glimpse of my reflection I wonder, “When did my gut get as big as my butt?”

The whole thing is thoroughly depressing.

New Year’s Resolutions were always a joke to me, something I would never need to do. Until now. This year I resolved that I would finally take action and lose weight. I’m tired of feeling unhappy and uncomfortable with myself. I want to be at home in the skin I’m in.

As I began my new eating plan, I became more aware of the food choices I make every day. I started concerning myself with calories, carbohydrates, fat, and nutrition in general.

No wonder I’m not comfortable in my body, I've been filling it with junk!

There’s no way I could conquer all my bad eating habits on my own, so I turned to the one source that I knew wouldn’t fail me. No, not some weight loss center; I turned to God.

I prayed for help to get back into a wiser eating routine, so that I could not only lose weight, but also become healthier. As I prayed, my thoughts naturally turned spiritual and I realized that I’m not the only one that needs to be at home in my skin; the Holy Spirit lives there too.

If I want Christ to reside in me, shouldn’t I make the home spiritually inviting? That would require eliminating anything that would grieve the Holy Spirit, which made me think about what I’d been putting into my body through my eyes and ears, not just my mouth. Would the Holy Spirit really enjoy hanging around with that movie on? Would Jesus really sing along to that song?

No amount of Haagen-Dazs or Oreos will ever make me feel content, if the true void that needs filling is in my soul. I need to stop saving room for dessert and start making room for ‘soul food’. Then I will begin to feel full-not full of sweets and salty delights, but in truly satisfying ways.

So yes, I’m fat. I may still be fat a year from now. Maybe even two, but somehow I doubt it. As I feed on wholesome snacks-like daily quiet time and devotionals, I think I’ll find that I’m feeling full with out all the food.

Maybe my next article will be called, “Dessert? No thanks, my spirit’s full.”


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This article has been read 930 times
Member Comments
Member Date
Amy Michelle Wiley 01/16/06
Good point. Though I'm one of the young, thin ones who can eat whatever she likes ;-), I don't eat healthy and that is something I need to work on. Thanks for the reminder!
erin hahn01/16/06
so very true.
Shirley MC01/18/06
I just wanted to encourage you and let you know your article was good to read, makes us think about what really is important. Good work keep it up.
Brandi Roberts01/19/06
ROFL "Anyone looking at me can tell that the sand in my hourglass has settled at the bottom." Oh how I know THAT feeling...

I also know what it's like to be thin and no-chested. Actually, I was told that my chest was so small that if I laid down in the rain, I could collect puddles! LOL

This was delightful, and a good reminder!! I used to be able to eat whatever I want, and now that I can't, it sucks! LOL Mmmm... carrot sticks and brocolli for me!

Enjoyed, Debbie!
Jan Ackerson 01/19/06
I love this--one of the better devotionals that I've seen here, because it's got a witty, authentic voice, and gives its lesson without preachiness. Thanks!
Shari Armstrong 01/19/06
A good lesson that I think most of us can relate to on some level.
Pat Guy 01/19/06
Wow! This speaks volumes! You should submit this somewhere! It's great! 'I actually desired to be fat, just long enough to get a couple of lumps in the right places. Then I’d simply lose the weight while keeping the much-desired ‘lumps’.' (favorite part! :) ) Maybe you should consider a move sometime soon!
Michael Wilmot01/19/06
Nice flow on this. Remember that The First Shall be Last and the Last shall be first. So if you are a size 6 today.....

Well done.
Alexandra Wilkin01/19/06
All I can do is echo Jan's words - I wish more devotionals were like this! God bless.
Candice Kettell01/19/06
'Would the Holy Spirit really enjoy hanging around with that movie on? Would Jesus really sing along to that song?' That we would all ask that? Wonderfully written. And wanting to feel at home in your skin? That has possibilities. A book? A slogan? Something. I want the t-shirt!
Val Clark01/20/06
A lighthearted, enjoyable devotional that packs a punch without being preachy or patronising. Well done! Yeggy
Jeffrey Snell01/20/06
Your honesty was bracing and refreshing! Thanks for putting it out there...good job!
Maxx .01/21/06
Great attitude and approach. Some funny lines with an important message! Keep it up!
Cassie Memmer01/21/06
You did good Debbie! From the heart, real voice. And you're not alone! ":o) Keep them coming!
Lynda Lee Schab 01/21/06
What do you mean you're having a hard time with endings lately? (or was that a humorous pun? LOL). I thought this was fantastic! Very real and honest. Great humor throughout, even greater message.
Thanks for the reminder that the Holy Spirit has a home too and it's up to us to do His house cleaning.
Blessings, Lynda
Marilyn Schnepp 01/21/06
I kept looking for something about home; and when I didn't see it, I began wondering if this was in the wrong week; THEN I FOUND it...home for the Holy Spirit! Well done.
Suzanne R01/22/06
Home for the Holy Spirit, eh? I was going to have ice cream after finishing reading some challenge pieces. Will I still after reading your article? Maybe ... maybe not ... after all, the Holy Spirit DOES reside in me ... hmmm ... a very practical piece. Well done.
Julianne Jones01/22/06
Ditto to all of the above. Your humour and own unique style flowed beautifully throughout the whole piece. Please do submit it to a publisher - perhaps a Christian mag for women.
Here's to getting fat on spiritual food!
Kate Wells01/23/06
Loved it...loved it...LOVEDIT!
I've been crunching broccoli and carrot sticks all week trying to take off the holiday pounds and resisting self-pity. Reading this made me feel like I had been to a support group meeting! Very encouraging. Wish I had another page to read tomorrow.
Congrats on your win!


Georgiana Daniels01/23/06
Great title and message! I can identify with ALMOST everything you wrote. (I've never been the thin one!) But now that I'm flirting with 200 I have to be conscious of what goes in....because it seems to stay there!
Debbie OConnor01/23/06
Great work! Congratulations.
Anita Neuman01/24/06
Congratulations on the well-deserved placement. This is hilarious, relatable (a little too relatable, actually - grumble and groan) and poignant.

I also need to congratulate the few men who dared to read & comment. Welcome to our thought process, men. Be afraid - be very afraid!


   
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