Thinking About Things

On the drive in to work, there is a place where we top a small hill, and I-75 / I-85 (or “The Connector” as we call it here in Atlanta) stretches out before us in a graceful S-curve, just before the intersection with I-20. On good days, we top the hill, and traffic is flowing through that turn like salmon swimming upstream to their spawning grounds. On bad days, we top that hill and there is nothing but a sea of brake lights. This morning, I anticipated the brake lights due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in the area. I was pleasantly surprised, and a little relieved, to see that traffic was moving. When we slow up there, it is a pretty sure bet that the rest of the ride into work is going to be difficult.

I’ve thought a lot about my blog yesterday – and I keep coming back to the phrase “my weight.” The nearly 200 pounds I’ve lost is NOT MY weight. It USED to be my weight – but not anymore. We use the expression, “I’ve lost weight” but I’m not so sure that is accurate, either. “Losing” something generally implies that at some point in the future, you hope to “find” it again. When I made the decision to have this surgery, I was making the decision to dispose of, throw away, discard, get rid of, dispense with, jettison, dump, chuck, and/or ditch the weight. I DID NOT make the decision to hide it for a little while, or hang it at the back of my closet just in case I wanted to wear it again.

I have the tools in place to get rid of this weight. I have the intelligence to make smart and reasonable decisions. I have supportive family and friends who constantly cheer me on. Most importantly, I have GOD who is the source of my comfort and healing. Even if I encounter traffic snarls on my way to work, I always make it to my destination, eventually. And like the drive to work, this journey may have obstacles, but I WILL GET TO MY JOURNEY'S END!

“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:5-6, NIV)