Whispers

Hey Weight Loss Wednesday gals! Hope your week was fabulous.

Mine was exhaustingly Holy.

Is exhaustingly even a word? It has a little red squiggly line under it telling me it is not. However, there isn’t any other way to describe the last week I spent in North Carolina. It was exhausting. And holy.

I got to spend two solid days with my Proverbs 31 sisters in  our annual team time training, which I was in charge of this year. Then, 608 women (as our Queen says, “that’s 1216 high heels!”) came in for our writers, speakers and womens ministry conference.

Also, I got to spend time with old friends like her and her and her.  We heard  a surprise message (just to the attendees, not to us, we knew it was happening ) via video from none other than her.  On main stage, our own president Lysa spoke and then, special guest her.  They both knocked it outta the park.

I was the last scheduled main speaker on stage. My knees were knocking at the thought of batting clean-up after three fabulous speakers, but our God showed up big.

And, best of all, I got to spend time with my daughter Kenna who lives in Charlotte.

Truly the best week of my year.

However, I was also faced with 6 days of the most fattening food of my life. The food served to us at the conference was fancy and decadent. The rest of the time, I was on the road, except for the night I spent at her house. She may know her fashion, but her man knows how to cook! Two fabulous meals there were out of this world!

So I was met with a challenge. How to stay on track in the face of such yummy food. No scales to weigh out portions. No calorie count on the back of the box. No fruit to grab while I passed on the cheesecake or fudge-laden brownie. No salad to order instead.

I only relied on one thing.

God’s whisper.

Yes, it may sound strange, especially if one is not used to two-way communication with God and instead only visits Him Sunday mornings while parked in a pew or auditorium seat. But I heard Him loud and clear.

So, did I eat any of the decadent food?

Yep.

All that was put before me?

Nope.

Were there times I passed things up completely without a bite?

Uh-huh.

Were their times I just took one or two bites and called it good?

Oh yeah….and good it was!

I relied on the whisper of God. I knew when He was saying, “Go right ahead sweetie. You have lots of duties this weekend and you need some nourishment.”

And, I knew when he was saying, “Whoa now sister. You’ve had plenty. Put down the fork and trust in Me.”

James 4:17 says, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (ESV)

I saw that verse in a whole new light this past weekend.

Is it a sin to eat a decadent dessert? Yes and no.

Is it a sin to enjoy a sourdough roll with butter? Yes and no.

To answer those questions, you’d need to know the circumstances, the last time food was eaten, whether or not God had prompted you to fast from food that day or that meal. It just isn’t a black and white or yes or no answer.

It is a whisper answer.

And it works.

It even allows us to lose weight while living in the land of fattening food for a week.

I know :-)

Now, how was your week? Or if you are new today, leave a comment letting us know why you are here?

Have a wonderful week everyone!

____________________________________________________

Congrats to: Linda; timestamp July 24,2010 at 7:28 a.m. You are the winner of the fashion package giveaway with Shari Braendel. Please send me your home address at  [email protected]!

15 Comments

  1. Oh, and what about inviting us to join you in your memorization of James? I thought about that while you were speaking!! I admired your boldness to speak the truth about our biblical illiteracy as believers!

  2. Thank you for your willingness to bat cleanup! God annointed your message and imprinted it upon my soul. As far as I was concerned, you and I could have been the only ones in the room. Your message pierced my heart. You see, I experienced a desert season after She Speaks 2009. The oppression I faced was severe as Satan berated me. “God didn’t call you. Are you crazy? You don’t know how to hear from God.” As you said, Satan wants us to take a real need in our life and fill it with anything but Jesus. And that’s exactly what I did last year. Flipped my desire to SERVE God with my desire FOR God. And in the process I created an idol out of ministry. So this year, I relished Angela’s message about being just an ordinary girl. Because I’m just an ordinary girl who loves Jesus. Excited this year that publishers asked for my proposal. And then moments later petrified as I sat in sessions that touted platforms were everything. But this year I recognized the voice of my deceiver trying once again to discourage my heart, and as you so eloquently stated, I am not letting his distractions lead to my demise!

  3. YES! This is my favorite WLW post yet, Karen!!! This was so good to read! And also, about that Sunday talk at She Speaks, I had a funny feeling… am I enjoying this so much because this is Karen, or am I enjoying this so much because this is the truth or am I enjoying this so much because she is a gifted speaker?

    All of the above.

  4. Hi Karen,
    I loved your message on Sunday at She Speaks. Thank you for speaking from your heart. I was very touched and motivated. I am going to work on memorizing and reviewing verses I’ve learned in the past. My verse this week is 2 Timothy 1: 6 – 7 “For this reason remember to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of love, of power, and of self-dicipline.”

    This was my first time at She Speaks, and I loved it! I plan to come next year and bring more friends.
    Blessings,
    Carrie

  5. Hi All,
    It has been several weeks since I have posted. I have been struggling big time with the whole weight loss thing and had gained back over 4 kilos that I had previously lost. I had been trying to listen to the Voice but not really listening and if I did I would behave like a spoilt child and stamp my feet and whine and eat it all anyway!! Finally God has shown me that my problem has been thinking that I can do this in my own strength, rather than realising how weak I actually am and that I need HIM to carry me through this because of my weakness. It has lead me to a more personal relationship with Him and I guess that that is what it is all really about.
    However, another of my weaknesses, pride, will probably lead me back to the thinking I am able to do it by myself situation again and that’s what really bugs me!!!
    Have a great week. O, lost 1 kilo this week.

  6. Karen, so glad you had a wonderful time! Todays P31 devotional was about modeling ourselves after Jesus, helps put the light on not trying to be like other people, maybe it will help me not try so hard to be something I am not, and relax,…..so I can hear the whisper!

  7. Karen,

    Oh how I have missed you and all the weight loss Wednesday ladies! I had an accident last May and broke both my arms! Needed surgery on my right wrist (I am right-handed!) and was on disability. I was recovering down at my parents’ home, about 50 miles away from my bookmarked computer, and just couldn’t find you to get the encouragement I needed.

    You would think that with 2 broken arms I wouldn’t be able to eat and therefore weight loss would be easy, right? Wrong! All my family did was feed me and encourage me to sit around and relax. My jeans are tighter but not too badly so. I will weigh in on the 14th and then know all the damage done.

    However, once I finally returned home I sorted out my closet and donated all the clothes I wore before I lost weight earlier this year. Now I have to re-lose the disability weight and get back on track with my weight loss. I have no excuses (and no money for new clothes).

    God has been whispering to me, too. Away from my loving parents I can now exercise again. Away from my loving parents I can return to my healthy eating habits. Away from my loving parents I can really hear His whispers. Ah, ah, ah… doyou really want to eat that? Ahem, I know the vicodin makes you sleepy but wouldn’t you rather take a brisk walk? Thank you, Lord, I know with your guidence I will listen to Your whispers and be able to take action.

    Thanks for being here ladies, I caught up on all the posts I missed and its just like coming home. :) I know I will be back on track soon with all the support and encouragement you give.

  8. I’ve been listening to the whispers and I have to say it really does pay off! I spent 3 relaxing, restful days in San Diego this past weekend (I live in PA) with my sister. The food was all around-junk food, restaurants, airport food etc, but I have to say, I’m very, very proud of myself-I lost 1 pound over the 4 days, 2 pounds for the whole week! Whoop whoop! I’m trying to set smaller goals for smaller time periods, it seems to work better for me. The farther out I stretch my goals, the worse I seem to do-it’s the old ‘I have time’ struggle. Before I know it, the kids will be heading back to school, so my goal this week is to develop a daily exercise routine for the fall!

  9. Karen – this is my first visit to your site – I just wanted to tell you that YOU knocked it out of the park on Sunday morning! The whole conference was fabulous but your message is the one that drove me to my knees. Thank you.

  10. This last week was spent camping in PA to be near family that I have not seen in two years; and attending my 25th college reunion. Talk about food! Literally, food was offered to me wherever I was and frequently. In my family of origin, food is not just for staying alive – it is the reason to be alive. I coped by eating small amounts. When the crackers and cheese were brought out only an hour after lunch was over, I ate only two, for example. When others were having two or three hot dogs for lunch, I had one – and a few french fries “borrowed” from a relative’s plate. At dinner one night, I nixed the sausage and had only salad and fruit. BUT I did not weigh myself today. Less out of fear, and more from the fact that I am off schedule and forgot it was Wed. and had already eaten breakfast before I realized it was weigh-in day.
    Although there were choices in eating that I made that I should not have, it was not all bad. And I did walk 30 to 45 minutes each morning before it got too hot and steamy.
    My husband informed me that he lost a pound over our trip. I did not know he was even weighing in! It turns out that my talk about all this has inspired him to make better choices during the work day, and he has started to use his break time to take a walk. :) He needs to lose some weight, and I have never mentioned it to him. Talked only about my own struggles. So this is a happy turn of events.

  11. Thanks for the affirmation that God is with us throughout our days, in joys and difficulties….as my morning devotion said: “Hold my hand, and walk joyously with Me through this day. Together we will savor the pleasures and endure the difficulties it brings. Be on the lookout for everything I have prepared for you: stunning scenery, bracing winds of adventure, cozy nooks for resting when are weary, and much more. I am your guide, as well as your constant Companion. I know every step of the journey ahead of you, all the way to heaven. You don’t have to choose between staying close to Me and staying on course. Since I AM THE WAY, staying close to Me IS staying on course. As you focus your thoughts on Me, I will guide you carefully along today’s journey. Don’t worry about what is around the next bend. Just concentrate on enjoying My Presence and staying in step with Me.” Jesus Calling, Sara Young

    Be encouraged ladies….small weight loss is multiplied day by day….starting my journey last April I am now close to 30 pounds lost with another 50 to go…but one day at a time, one pound at time, with my constant Companion…..YOU CAN DO IT!!!

  12. I also know how it feels to listen to God’s Whisper. I’ve done it successfully. However, like Debbie, have had some listening problems resently. I’m up 1-1/2 pounds this week. I made cream puffs over the weekend. Not a good choice! I had a dr. appointment on Monday and even though I’ve lost 15 pounds in the 6 months since I saw him last, my cholesterol went from 226 (which he wasn’t real happy with, but it was down from 315!!) to 288!! Yeawh. So, I’m meeting with a dietician on Thursday and he’s giving me 3 more months to get it down then will put me on meds if it’s not. So, my prayers this week include wisdom. Because even though I’ve been losing weight through portion control and excercise, my choices have not been that great. I know that, so I know where there is room for improvement!! :) Hope you all had a good week. Thanks for the words Karen. Glad you had a good conference. God bless.

  13. Hey Karen! I have a much-neglected Weight Loss Wednesday on my blog, too! Mind if I join up with you guys?

    The Whisper method of weight-loss. Hmm. Now that’s one I haven’t tried for any length of time. It would require me to slow down, shush up, and steer the ears of my heart toward his voice.

    I think I’m ready!

    Goes right along with God telling me to fast from “me.” My way, my words, my wisdom.

    Feasting on His whispers today, LeeBird

  14. I have to say that usually I do a lot of moaning/pleading to God to help me with me daily food struggles (Pepsi is a food, right?) and usually that takes place just before I drift off to sleep. The “conversation” usually goes something like this: Please, God, I need help. Please help me to find a way to drink less soda, eat less snacks, and be more productive. Please let tomorrow be a new day! Amen.

    Of course, the next day, I drink just as much Pepsi, eat just as many snacks, and find that I have very little energy or concentration to be productive. Why? Pretty sure it’s because I am never quiet enough to listen to “the whispers”, as you so aptly put it.

    Thanks for writing what I obviously needed to hear (read): Before I put something to my lips, I should pause and see if God has a message for me.

  15. I truly was using the little whisper method you mention for several weeks and was very slowly losing weight every week. Then, I quit listening and gave in. I’m back today. In December my daughters and I are going to see the very special guest that was at your conference. I want the seat belt on the plane to fit so I won’t be humiliated and my daughters embarassed. I’ve only lost about 10 pounds and my goal was to lose at least 50 by December. I can still do it if I start listening again. Thanks for keeping this post going, Karen. Hopefully when summer is over the posting will pick back up.

Leave a Reply to Stephanie Garneau Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *