Weight Gain

Time to process ... thanks again for listening and giving me great feedback.

One of the hardest parts of this surgery/recovery process has been the weight gain. I literally gained 15 pounds, overnight , due to the vast amounts of fluid given to me and the removal of my lymph nodes in that area. The fluid doesn't know where to go, so right now it seems to have settled in my rear end, my thighs and my abdomen. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. Now, don't go all practical on me and say, "Well Ann at least you are cancer free and don't have to have chemo." Yes, I know that and I agree, but come on ... who wants to gain FIFTEEN pounds in one day??!!! So, of course it got me to thinkin' about what we, especially as gals, devote our time and energy into on a daily basis. We spend so much of our life trying to find the right diet, the best exercise regiment and we give a lot of our well earned money to keeping our body fit and looking good. I also know that when we don't see that magic number on the tag of our jeans, or on the scale we freak out. I can actually be downright snippy to all those in my direct line of fire once I see the wrong number. Get my drift? Ya'll need to be prayin' for my husband and children until this fluid figures out where it's supposed to go! :) Now --- you're all wondering ... will her weight come off or is she stuck with it? I've been reassured by my doctor that I will simply "pee it out" and I shouldn't worry. Back to the point I was trying to make -- Here's my question for us ALL - do we worry about being spiritually fit as much as we worry about being physically fit? How many times do you get together with friends and chit chat about the new things God has spoken to your heart,or the new Bible Study you are devoting an hour to each morning? If you have, then kudos to you, I just know God kicked me in my fluid filled patootie when I began to think about how concerned I was with my weight gain. I'm envisioning long hours at the Y, a weight watchers notebook and lots of rabbit food. Instead, I should be envisioning long hours relishing in the presence of God, reading Bible stories with my kids, and engaging my husband in conversation about how we can do more for Christ. Do I think it's wrong to be fit and healthy? NO!!! Do I believe it has become an idol for many people, including Christians? YES!! Our body IS the temple of the Holy Spirit and we should take care of it, but worshipping the temple is not part of the deal. I guess what we need to ask is 'what is my motive' behind weight loss and fitness? Is it to get healthy or is there some vanity involved or are we using it to hide from God? Just asking? I know I need to be praising GOD I'm cancer free, realize my darling husband thinks I'm hotter than the fourth of July and quit focusing on the things of this world that don't matter. How does that happen? I'm not going all religious on you, but spending time with Jesus, just sweet time alone with Him really does seeem to cure all my ailments - even my obsession over my weight. Do I really think God is going to ask me how much I weighed when I get to the pearly gates? Probably not. I do know He will ask me who I served, loved and what I did with His love and His kingdom message. So, I think today I will pray that He will give me the courage to smile at the gal in the mirror (big patootie and all) and use this body to share His message of peace, love and joy.
Peace out!
Ann
xoxoxoxo