March 20, 2012

Hamburger Helper Helped

I changed the title of this blog from REAL FAT to JUST REAL. There are several reasons. For one thing I'm tired of looking at the word fat every time I come to write. Seriously. There was a time I needed to see that word to face the facts, but I don't think I'm there anymore. I also want to write about other things besides weight loss. I feel like God is working in new and different ways in my life and I really want to write about them. I'm just OCD enough to need the title to be a really good match for the content.

So here's the deal...

I was walking down the road with Norma several months ago and we got into a pretty deep conversation. I told her that I felt my life had become like Hamburger Helper. In the sense that all of the things I hoped to accomplish in my life were the different flavors: Lasagna (raising good children), Beef Stroganoff (keeping my house in order), Cheeseburger Macaroni (being a good friend), Taco Surprise (losing weight), Beef Pasta (being a good youth leader). Those kinds of things were the flavors. And God was my hamburger. Yes, that's right--God was the ground beef. I had somehow come to believe that I could do all the things I wanted in life by just adding God. Sounds like a good plan, right? Sounds a little like Philippians 4:13, as a matter of fact. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me...

Well, the only problem with the Hamburger Helper approach to Christianity is that it makes Jesus the add-in. He becomes just an ingredient. Yes, an important ingredient, but still just an ingredient.

Jesus is more than an ingredient. He is the entire meal.

If you look one verse back in Philippians to 4:12, Paul says I have learned the secret to being content in any an every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want...He is talking about the circumstances of life that happen. He's not talking about his plans, hopes and dreams. He is talking about facing life as God had planned it for him and being content in any and every situation. He had been taught how to do that. The secret, he shares in the popular verse 13, is through Jesus Christ. Not "with a little help from Jesus" but through Him.

Let me see if I can make myself really clear. What I have been thinking is that "I can do all things I WANT TO DO with the help (when I think to ask) of Christ because he will give me strength to do the things I want and/or think I need to do." This is much different than what Paul was saying which is more like: I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am .-The Message.

Keelie's focus: Keelie's agenda; Paul's focus: God's agenda. That's the difference. Small, but huge. I want to learn the secret like Paul did. I hope to one day be able to say Philippians 4:13 and really mean it the way he meant it.

So I'm not exactly sure how, but in a round-about way all of that has to do with why this is no longer going to be primarily a weight-loss blog. As for the new name, during the conversation with Norma that day I mentioned that I didn't really think I should keep writing REAL FAT. And she said, "Well maybe it should be JUST REAL and wah-lah! A new blog was born. It just needed some time to come to fruition. Thank you, Norma.

The change doesn't mean that I don't still long to be free from an oppressive addiction. It doesn't mean that focusing on weight loss for a very long time wasn't an absolutely necessary part of God's plan for my life. I know without a doubt that it was. It doesn't mean that I think there is something wrong with having a weight loss blog. It also doesn't mean that I can stop thinking about my health and being accountable for my eating habits. This change is simply the next step in the journey for me.

Like many things in my life right now, I have no idea where this blog is going. But I'm excited to find out! Hope you'll keep travelling with me.
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10 comments:

Sharlie said...

So glad you are back!

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

Love the new name and happy to have you back. I have been thinking about changing my name, none fit yet. When I know, I'll know. xo

Jamie said...

I am so excited to see God leading you in a new direction and bringing you closer to Him. Love you and glad you are back to the blogger world. I missed you!

Meghan said...

I honestly can't put into words how I feel about this post. I'll just give you a big Amen because I honestly can't tell you how it so very much touched me!

I've had one of those days where I'm just down..thinking about choices I've made in my life. Choices that I can't change and have to "deal with" for the rest of my life. I cried and prayed this morning about decisions I have to live with and this is exactly what I needed to hear!! EXACTLY!!

I was sitting at the table doing my quite time and as I finished up, your blog came to my mind. I made my lunch, sat down and pulled it up. I immdediately knew this post was for me.

Thank you for this post today!

Kimberly said...

I can't tell you how relieved I am. I clicked on your blog title on my sidebar and it said your blog had been removed! I went to your picture on the last comment you left me and finally found you...here! Whew!

As for the the new blog name...I love it! I think it suits you and the new place you're in to a tee. I will continue to follow because as always, you're such an inspiration.

I also can't wait to see what God has in store for you...good things for sure!!!

Be blessed Keelie

Wishful Shrinking said...

"The change doesn't mean that I don't still long to be free from an oppressive addiction. " Maybe it is time to stop longing and join an OA 12 step program and make recovery your reality. This is a good place to start.

http://www.coffeeshopbb164.com/

AJ @ trulylifeinwords - said...

Love the new blog and the new focus in your life. I went through the same revelation over the past month. I'm tired of me and what I want, changing my focus to God and His plan. It's a great place to get to.

Lisa said...

Loving the new name!

Norma Jean said...

Love how you always figure things out and keep moving forward...is quit even in your vocabulary?! Smiling right now because I'm happy for you. :)

Jennifer said...

Hey there- I just wanted to thank you for this post. Your blog ministers so much to me. I, too, have struggled with addiction to food/sugar for at least 20 years (since I was a young child). I have tried so many things- really everything I can think of. Recently I watched the documentary "Hungry for Change." They talk alot about juicing in the movie and adding positive things into your life instead of limiting yourself. For the past 2 months, my husband and I have made no changes except adding in one serving of freshly squeezed (we bought a cheap juicer) organic juice. (I put 2 apples, 2 oranges, 5-7 pieces of romaine lettuce, 2 pieces kale, 1 lemon, 4 pieces celery, 2 carrots in it- makes 2 servings.) It is crazy, but I have had absolutely NO CRAVINGS in the past two months. I mean, it is just unreal to me. I don't weigh myself but I know I am thinner already just from this one change b/c my pants are starting to fall off me. And I feel so much better emotionally too. I just thought I would share that with you! It may not be what you need, but it has helped me so much!