Grace and Focus, two words with a great deal of meaning for me. Two words necessary to accomplish any great feat in life. Two words necessary to sail the ship of my life.
At the beginning of each year, God gives me a word. I usually write it in my journal and don’t think much of it for the rest of the year.
Liberty Clipper, Boston.
I always know the word is meant to define the year in some manner, but I’m never sure how.
In 2013, there is no doubt that Grace defined the year in more ways than one. Most predominantly, of course, in the name of my memoir, Sweet Grace.
This year, though, I learned Grace is so much more than I ever dreamed. It’s a little like I was carrying around a little baby named Grace for most of my life. Last year, Grace grew into an accomplished adult with power and movement to impact my life.
Even though my concept was much the same as when I accepted the Grace of God into my life at age 7, the power of Grace was there all along. I just didn’t recognize it.
One monumental aspect of Grace is that it covers all our failures, past, present and future. I was a good Christian, though. So it’s nice that I had Grace, but I didn’t really think I needed it. And that was pride, pure and simple.
Most of my life I put the types of foods I craved over God. My god was indeed my stomach. Many times God told me the way to conquer my super morbid obesity was to stop eating sugar, eat more lean meats, fruits and vegetables and eat less bread.
I had asked Him what to do, He told me and I ignored Him. That is the simplest explanation of sin: disregarding a direct answer from God.
I didn’t realize it at the time, but God’s Grace was at work all those years. By His Grace I am alive today, have lost weight and am following His suggestions.
I discovered a brand new aspect of Grace I wasn’t even aware existed. I call it the wind at my back.
It became aware of it when I surrendered my will and laid down the thing I craved. I repented by turning around and going towards life and away from death. I continued the journey walking step by step, choice by choice.
When I was walking slowly, but surely towards death, I felt as if I was slogging through mud. When I turned around and began walking towards life, I felt the powerful breath of God’s Grace like wind billowing out the sails on a ship. And I knew I was headed in the right direction.
It wasn’t easy because sailing never is, but it so much more graceful with Him propelling me forward. This says it much more eloquently. “We have forgiveness for our failures based on His overflowing Grace which He poured over us with wisdom and understanding,” Ephesians 1:7-8, CEB. Ah, Grace.
That’s why I’m so excited about Focus, my word for this year. Focus begins in God. I’m 100 percent committed to getting to know Him in a deeper more profound way.
It’s interesting when I Focus, really Focus on God, time stands still and a closeness descends blanketing out everything else around me. I can sail through stormy seas and across calm waters, when I focus on Him.
That’s why I’m accepting a challenge to blog every day this month. Even as I write these words I look at my January schedule and I know I must be crazy. However in my quiet time when I asked God how I could get closer to Him, He gave me a plan. And since I ignored the other major plan He gave me, I paid close attention to this one.
He said read His Word, pray and journal 500 words a day. I sensed they did not have to be published words, but I should make that a goal. Then today, I opened up Jeff Goins’ email challenging writers to blog 500 words a day for the month of January. Coincidence? I don’t think so. I think it’s a challenge I am going to try to keep.
Many of you are already subscribers here so, you will get the email newsletter with the blog posts, which may come every few days with several posts included. If you aren’t a subscriber, there are two ways to join: download the free chapter of my memoir Sweet Grace or put your name and email in the subscription box located on the right hand column of this page.
Here’s the direction my Focus will be taking this month. “Focus your eyes straight ahead; keep your gaze on what’s in front of you,” Proverbs 4:25 MSG.
Onward to whatever 2014 brings. I will Focus with the sweet breath of God’s Grace moving me forward.
Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying To Earn God’s Favor is available on Amazon by going HERE. The companion book, Sweet Grace Study Guide: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Overcome Food Addiction are available HERE.
Her book, "Sweet Grace: How I Lost 250 Pounds and Stopped Trying to Earn God's Favor", is the number 1 Christian Weight Loss Memoir on Amazon. Her other books include: "Sweet Journey to Transformation: Practical Steps to Lose Weight and Live Healthy", "Sweet Freedom: Losing Weight and Keeping It Off With God's Help", "Sweet Change: True Stories of Transformation" and "Sweet Hunger: Developing An Appetite for God".
She also offers a weight loss academy and VIP one-on-one coaching program, available under the weight loss tab. To book Teresa for your next event, check the Speaking tab on her website. Also check out her blog and podcast here on the website under the tabs by those names.
I’ve bookmarked your page so I can follow your journaling. Do you feel any difference spiritually that you have lost the weight?
Thanks for your question. In my book I talk a lot about my journey. I’ve always felt a closeness to God but when He began telling me back in 1977 what I needed to do and I kept not really doing it, everything seemed to just be self-effort. It took a real surrender of the thing I had put in His place, namely sugar and bread, to really renew that closeness. It’s like I was living in black and white for so many years and all of a sudden everything is in color. I had the head knowledge and heart knowledge to an extent. Even though I could sing I surrender all from memory, I hadn’t really surrendered EVERYTHING. There was this one thing I had in reserve … for emergencies which happened ALL the time.
Whenever you obey what God tells you to do, everything changes. I don’t think it changes from His perspective but it certainly does from ours. I listen to Him now. I do what He says. I know what it’s like to live a lifetime of disobedience. I created the distance because I didn’t want to hear Him tell me something else I couldn’t do.
That’s the long answer. The short answer is yes.
If you don’t have my book, please get it. It tells my journey. You can join this site by entering your name and email in the subscription area on the right side or by entering it in the free chapter area on the header. Follow the prompts to confirm and you’ll be added to the mailing list to receive emails from each post. Also join me on my facebook page for more posts. Link is on the right side of the website.
Thank you for the swift reply and your honesty. I downloaded your book onto my kindle and I’m about half way through reading. I’ve been big all my life. I reach stages where I get so depressed and fed up with myself.I have numerous health problems and I know enough is enough and that I have to make the change. I just got married in Aug past. My husband is a big guy and although he works he shares the same opinion that we need to do something before we don’t have a choice. I weigh roughly 460lbs…not my heaviest thankfully. I’m hoping that by taking a more spiritual and “God included” stance with my dieting this time that it might work. I’m more than desperate for change..by God’s grace I just hope we (hubby and I) can make it. Thanks.
Change I hope to I will. This is war, Sweetheart. It takes every ounce of strength to fight this battle. I promise you the victories are worth it. Every free minute needs to be directed towards your health. This is your mission. Ever watch extreme makeover weight loss edition? They work out 5-6 hours a day. They eat regimented. I’m not advocating that but you need to block out times for movement, walking, swimming, biking. Start by walking down the street and back. I walk in the water at our local indoor pool. I do it an hour to hour and a half 6 days a week. I miss it if I am out of town. I can’t wait to get back in the water. It’s my time to meditate and listen to what God wants to say to me. He knows He has my full attention there, no iphone, computer, books. Just me and God and the water.
I eat a fasted lifestyle. I take command over my body in the name of Jesus and by His power and strength. You have to WANT this. Really want this.
You CAN do it but He won’t do it for you. Read my latest post. The Place That Grace Built. See what you think.
Let me know your progress and I will let you know if and when I decide to start a closed Facebook Weight Loss Group. God has been talking to me about this. I think it’s down the road a ways but I feel there are so many who need accountability. I believe this can help people get on the right track and stay there.
Stay strong. Stay focused.