As I listen to my stomach growl I can't help but think what a good thing that is for me. For so much of my life I have sought comfort for my emotional and physical pain through food. I am rejoicing at the sound of healing!
In high school, Advanced Biology was right before lunch. I often skipped breakfast in those days. Well, one day we were all quietly reading in class and my stomach let out a growl a tiger would have been proud of! I was mortified. Our teacher looked up from what he was doing, opened a drawer in his desk and next thing I know there are Fig Newtons sitting atop my books! The young man sitting next to me literally fell out of his chair laughing. I wonder if he remembers...I sure do. It's too funny now! (I disliked Fig Newtons even before that experience!)
Let's face it, I have been blessed. Oh so very blessed. I haven't known what it is to do without, not really. No matter how difficult things have been throughout my life, there has always been food on the table, a roof over my head and clothes on my back. Thank you, Lord. Even when it felt like life was spinning out of control, You have provided all I have needed and much, much more.
We all go through things as kids. Whether at home or school, we know what it is to be called names, to have word curses unleashed on us. If you look at my maiden name, it doesn't take a lot of imagination to guess one of the tags I wore as a kid. And I did not have a gastro-intestinal problem!
I stink (no pun intended!) at sports, always have. I was often the last one to be chosen for a softball or volleyball team. It hurt but then again I would gladly give a speech in front of a bunch of people (2,000 is my maximum to date). God didn't wire me to spike a ball, He wired me to write and speak and encourage people.
I lived under a spirit of fear for much of my life. I was afraid of who God created me to be, of what it required and of failure. I heard the words "you're stupid", "you're a moron", "you'll never amount to anything" echo in my head. I allowed those words to become my identity from the time I was little. Well...no more! I am free! Hallelujah!
God has work for me to do, work that He laid out before the foundations of the earth. I intend to follow through. No more hiding, no more cowering, no more excuses, no more turning to food for comfort, no more losing myself in TV or other idols. No more! This is a new day! I feel compelled, driven even.
Yep, my stomach growled, a reminder of the healing God has done and the work I have yet to do for Him. Let's get started!
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