The Apple of His Eye
That is who we are. We are made to be seen and known because we are made for a God who sees and knows. It’s just who we are. It’s our identity. Taking these things and moving them from head to heart, and from brain to central nervous system, are essential parts of recovery.
A Beautiful Spirit
Barbara’s appearance by the world’s standards would have been labeled as “too large,” “needs to lose weight,” or maybe “obese;” and yet to me, Barbara’s size simply seemed irrelevant. The gentle confidence and kindness in which she carried herself stood out far more to me than her size.
My Secret Struggle
No one would ever know my secret. And to be honest with you, I really felt like this was all normal because it's really all I ever knew. I felt very safe in my own cage, but I really wasn’t free at all.
The Mind of Christ
So how can I walk in victory when the heaviness of old thought patterns and disordered eating habits are rampid? I challenge you to begin a new habit today, come into the presence of your Savior, Redeemer, and Friend; declare to Him, "I can't but You can, I need You Jesus."
Where I Belong
Almost immediately after I started eating, my life, my creativity, and my heart started to stir, like a bear stirring out of a long hibernation. The cave where I had stored the pieces left behind by my rationing, burst into life and started growing and blooming in ways I didn’t think possible.
The Joy in the Journey
If God had told me five years ago that I would be leading prayer groups about body image issues, I would have frozen in place. “No thank you, God. That is the last thing I see myself doing or have any desire to do, ever!” I was right in the middle of the hardest part of my recovery journey.
Maybe You’re Not Going Crazy
It was a downright heavy day, and I couldn’t pinpoint why. I couldn’t find an explanation for the heavy feelings of dread, self-loathing, and hopelessness that consumed me out of nowhere. I was sobbing as I grabbed my prayer journal to process this with Jesus.
Cleaning out the Lies
To embrace the beauty God has for me in our moves, I am learning I need to take care of the body I was given. It takes time, sometimes years to uncover and replace lies that we have believed for so long. But let us not give up!
Lessons From the Grey
I was very much a “doer.” Tell me what to do to help my daughter and I will do it, give me a checklist please! There is no checklist for this! I have had to learn more how to “be.” Ugh, I could thrive as a human “doing” yet that is not what my daughter needed.
Glimpses of Grace
Walking toward recovery can be hard on the heart. On the inside, there was a war being fought. I want to share my story in case you need the courage to take one more step and fight one more lie.
The Shame Cocoon
Shame is like a smothering cocoon; it seems "safe", and it is not. The only way you can emerge from it is to invite someone else into the space so they can help you break the seal and be transformed.
Special Event - Eating Disorders Day Of Prayer - Feb. 26, 2025
Your invitation to the Eating Disorders Day of Prayer on Wednesday, February 26th, now in its fourth year!
Promises in the Storm
Have you ever been in a season of life where your prayers turn into pleas? When you've prayed, “Lord, where are you? You could so quickly fix everything! What is the point of prolonging this?” Claim His promises and thank Him for His Presence in the storm.
Reflections
While that night was hard for both of us, I believe it was the first and most critical step of my wife's healing journey. This shared struggle led to deeper, more meaningful conversations throughout our 40-year marriage, and helped me to examine my own journey.
Can God Really Make Me Whole Again?
“Jesus, I want you to make me whole again. Something is missing, out of balance, broken, and I want You to bring it back together.” Our souls are healed through union with Christ. Come to peace, come to Shalom and be restored.
FREEdom Story: Walking Towards Freedom
I entered a “mostly recovered” state, which I lived in for a long time. This involved extremely strict rules about food and exercise, and an obsession with performance. It may have been healthier than previous behavior, yet still not a healthy way to live. I certainly was not walking in freedom.
FREEdom Story: No Longer Alone
At 14, I’d spent time in an ED treatment facility. Hearing that my daughter was struggling felt like she was implying that I'd been doing something wrong; maybe she had gotten a message from me that her body needed to be different. What happened brought healing for me and those I met.