Thin Within~Day 9

God uses each and every experience of our lives to shape us. I am reminded of the image of the front and back side of a tapestry. As one friend pointed out recently the underside of the tapestry looks like a mess of threads going in directions that seem to make no sense at all! There are many colors of threads....and it just doesn't seem to make sense why there would be BLACK thread visible... Yet each and every color, woven in this precise fashion, is needed to make the beautiful front side of this tapestry. Even the black (symbolic of difficulties and trials) is needed to make the tapestry the masterpiece that it is!

Often life just doesn't make sense. Often it takes a long time before we begin to get a glimpse of the bigger picture, of the tapestry of our life that God is weaving. Many people experience deep valleys which seem to make no sense... But God will use all this to shape us, maturing and equipping us.

I appreciate this quote from Joni Eareckson Tada:

God uses suffering to purge sin from our lives, strengthen our committment to Him, force us to depend on grace, bind us together with other believers, produce discernment, foster sensitivity, discipline our minds, spend our time wisely, stretch our hope, cause us to know Christ better, make us long for truth, lead us to repentance of sin, teach us to give thanks in times of sorrow, increase faith, and strengthen character. TW pg 88

And the verse that has been in my thoughts and prayers so often lately, highlighted once again in this chapter....

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

I am so thankful that God has a purpose in all things.

Here are a few of my own life challenges that I highlighted when I first started my blog:

1.) Boarding school for my elementary school years.
It had it ups and downs. I felt fears and resentment at times. The experience nurtured me socially and has been used by God to make me into the person I am today. Having spent so much time with my peers during those growing up years has definitely shaped my approach to socializing in the present.

2.) Moving back to Canada at 12 years old.
I felt bitter and alone. As a result I made new friends, adjusted to Canada at a much earlier age then other MK friends of mine, which is a blessing in disguise! It has also spurred me on to befriend others as I understand what it feels like to be the "new" person!

3.) My daughter had Kawasaki Disease at age 3.
It was a heart wrenching time and I cried out to God more then I ever have in my life as her life hung in the balance. As a result I experienced greater intimacy with God, saw prayers answered and can now empathize better with others in similar situations.

4.) And now I can also add this weight struggle to the list!
Nearly a year has gone by since I first picked up a copy of this TW book. As I posted yesterday, many changes have taken place since last October! I have been overweight for most of my teenage/adult years... Yet it is through this "struggle" that I am growing spiritually...and have "shrunk" physically:-) Praise God for that!

Now onto today...

Christmas drama practice started at 8:30am. I wasn't hungry when I headed out so I just brought along an easy breakfast to eat when I got hungry, which worked well for me. Then the afternoon was tiring as I went shopping... I'm *not* a fan of shopping...especially on a Saturday afternoon! Anyways, I got through it! When I got home I was quite tired, hungry and grouchy...which was disappointing as I have been feeling challenged to not only surrender my eating, but also my emotions. So my family walked on eggshells for most of supper...and I knew I really needed to turn over a new leaf and offer them sincere appologies...so I did. The day has ended on a good note, for which I'm thankful:-)

Here's my exercise and eating log for today...

Exercise: x (I know I need to get moving this week!)
Eating:
0-3 at 8:45am
0-5 at 12:45pm
0-6 at 5:45pm

I was thinking about 0-5 eating today. I was thinking how I have realized my need to surrender each and every moment to the Lord in regards to eating. I continue to consider each and every 0-5 eating experience a huge victory! As I drove home from shopping this afternoon and felt my tummy rumble at about 4:30pm...I immediately started praising God and thanking Him for allowing me to feel this hunger and thanking Him for providing for my needs. I don't take this for granted as I have spent so much of my life NOT following 0-5 eating.

Okay, enough rambling from me tonight! I'm off to bed :-)