THE SKINNY ON CONTENTMENT
Lately I’ve been paraphrasing Paul’s verse from Philippians 4:11-12, that in whatever circumstances, I’ve learned to be content. Whether rich or poor, hungry or fed, skinny or fat: I’ve learned to be content.
Oddly enough my version isn’t too far from the original.
However the reason I’ve been quoting my paraphrase is because of a group of
women in a boutique in Jackson, Tennessee.
Before I go any further let me say I’ve never been one to group shop. My husband, blessed martyr that he is, has a great eye and usually agrees to shop with me about twice a year when I need to reinforce my wardrobe. Other than that I’m not much of a shopper of clothes, especially since my clothes have gotten uncomfortably snug. I feel a bit like a overssize pillow shoved into an undersize case.
But in early April these ladies unknowingly gave me the gift
of a lifetime, and ever since there has been a shift of monumental proportions
in my thinking.
For you see since I was ten years old I’ve always been concerned
that I was too fat. And there were some occasions, even as a young person when I put on more weight than I should. During my junior year of high school the
soft pretzels in a Philadelphia suburb did me in. For a lifetime, I’ve
struggled with weight and self-image. Actually it was more than that – with
extra weight came a sense of self-loathing. Terribly unhealthy – but who knew?
However, during that day in April those ladies liberated me. They were beautiful, and comfortable in their own skin. They realized that their purpose for being was defined by more than a dress size, and somehow in those joyous shopping moments I was set free!
Free I tell you. So now I quote – whether I’m skinny or fat
I’ve learned to be content. I want to be healthy and active and that’s my
goal. The result may be a smaller clothing
size, but until that day – I am content…
… and grateful to that beautiful group of ladies, who were of all shapes and size.
