Before and After
We’ve all seen the before and after photos in magazines where the person was morbidly obese in one shot and two seconds later they are svelte and beautiful (aka socially acceptable).
Before 1994
After 2009
When I was heavy and saw those before and after pictures it seemed to me that the transformation happened immediately.
I used to pray that I would go to sleep fat and wake up thin. I hated being fat, I hated how the world ignores fat people, and I hated how the world noticed fat people. In truth, I hated me and thought that my weight was the cause of all my unhappiness and problems.
I was always on a diet and always overwhelmed by the impossibility of it all. When I would fail at one of my extreme attempts to shed the excessive amount of weight I carried, I would just give up and splurge, feeling like a complete failure.
With God’s direction, I was able to shed 110 pounds sixteen years ago by making small changes and sticking with those changes. But I learned that my self hatred was deeper than the layers of fat.
It wasn’t until many years later when I had lost almost everything, that I came to the point where I finally heard the voice of God say that He loves me and therein lies my value. I heard that love song into the core of my being and joy filled me like it never had before. I no longer hate me…I love me! The After that occurred that day is a much greater transformation than what occurred from losing 110 lbs. and it WAS immediate.
“Thank you Lord for your incredible love for us. Let my sisters hear your loving voice as loudly as I hear it say, ‘I love you , Daughter.’”
Remember to enter the contest for an expense paid weekend to the Raeford Conference (and other prizes).
Karen Sleeth
Karen Sleeth has lived in North Carolina for 26 years. She shares her home with two kitties who cause her to laugh every day. She firmly believes that a merry heart does good like a medicine and some days overdoses.
Thanks for this encouraging blog. I too can testify about Karen!
Thank you Darla and Marie for your support, encouragement, and love!
I can testify as to the fact that Karen loves herself now. I didn’t know her in the before but I know her now and not only does she love herself but she loves others. When God shows us how much He loves US, it is only then can we truly love others. Karen, you are evidence of this.
Love you!
Thank you for sharing this with us Karen. You are a beautiful person-inside and out. You are right, God is the only one who can validate us as a person.
Easley, thank you for your kindness and love. Isn’t wonderful that God’s validation is the most lasting and valuable?