Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Encouragement (among believers) (11/08/07)
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TITLE: Encouraged by "Garbage" | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kathy Little
11/14/07 -
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With clasped hands and eyes closed,*** Debra looked towards the sky, “Thank you Lord” she said. Tears
streamed from her face as she thanked the Lord again.
She was 332 pounds. Four more pounds and she would be back at 336 pounds, which is what she weighed before Weight Watchers.
Encouraging herself was something she thought she had learned; however, her looking at the numerous notes and signs she had hanging around her home, did not help anymore. Her notes were, “You are so beautiful Debra”, “You can do it, Debra” and “You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you, Debra.”
She began talking with the Lord.
Saying:
Lord, thank you for even this weight that’s on me-
Ridding me of it has not been Your first priority-
I used to think maybe You just did not care-
But after spending some time with You I realized saying THAT was not fair!-
Instead of asking You this one more time-
I’ve chosen to ask You what is on Your mind-
To be free is what You always want for me-
Besides that, You just want me totally-
Giving myself to you is what (I thought) I did-
But wait, totally, what about the house, my husband and kids-
She sat at her computer, and logged into her faith writer’s account.
As she read article after article, she noticed a quite unusual
one. It read: * “I love extracting beauty from the ordinary.”(i.e. vegetables, notes, fabrics, flowers, paper, weeds, words)”
Debra wept.
She really liked the author’s words therefore; she searched for more of her articles. She found
** “Garbage.” As she read it, she sobbed even more.
The Lord had encouraged Debra with “Garbage:”
Debra thanked the Lord.
Saying:
Encouraging me with “Garbage”
Who would have ever thought-
I’m sorry, Lord, for blaming You for something that’s not Your fault-
Not obeying You and complaining was a lifestyle for me-
Yes Lord, I give myself to You—Totally-
I’ve learned from “Garbage” I should appreciate You too-
Not the degrees, successes and my weight to name few-
For all of it is garbage when compared to You-
Again, I’m so sorry- My life is no longer blue-
Thank You, Lord for “Garbage.”
* Quoted from Sharlyn Guthrie
** Sharlyn Guthrie, Author “Garbage”
*** pseudonym
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