Dear God-Change Me for the Better
I recently received an email from someone that inspired me so much, I wanted to share his story with you. If you have ever struggled with low self-esteem and the side effects of it, excess weight and addictive habits, you will relate to this story and my prayer is that it will inspire you to make some positive changes in your life.
Reginald retired from the Army in 1989 due to medical problems. He was a single parent of 4 grown children with 2 still living at home while they attended school. He also smoked 2 packs of cigarettes every day. He had been smoking for 32 years.
Over the years Reginald continued to smoke and he dealt with loneliness and stress by overeating and eating the wrong foods. On top of that he was not taking part in any type of physical activity.
He told himself that it didn't matter how he looked. Over the years Reginald packed on another 78 pounds. At 5' 6' he weighed 228 pounds and continued to tell himself it didn't matter. So, he ate some more, smoked some more and continued to grow more depressed and tired each day.
One night before going to bed Reginald caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and didn't recognize the person the mirror reflected back to him. His eyes were finally opened to take a good, hard look at himself and he was shocked at what he saw.
That night he cried himself to sleep over his health and the way he looked. He had been lying to himself for years. It did matter what he looked like. His health did matter to him.
That night he prayed and said; Dear God please change me for the better or bring me home to Heaven because I don't want to live like this anymore.
That was in 2001 and to this day, Reginald has never picked up another cigarette. He tells me that God helped him to take control of his food intake. He had no knowledge of nutrition so he began to read everything he could get his hands on about nutrition.
The first thing he took out of his diet was simple carbohydrates. He also changed to lean cuts of meat, added nutritional supplements, increased his fiber intake and he drinks plenty of water.
There is no secret or short cut to getting fit. It's a lifestyle change. He knew he would have to completely change everything he was doing and he did.
Since 2001, Reginald has maintained a weight of 145-150 which suits his 5'6" frame much better. When you look at his picture he doesn't even look like the same person.
Reginald starts each day with devotional time before breakfast and going to work. He works with developmentally handicapped adults which as you might imagine is both a demanding and rewarding job. But, no matter how rewarding something is, when you give of yourself so much you have to find a way to recharge.
He continues to read and study to improve himself and to learn more about nutrition. Does he ever vary from his healthy diet? Sure, but it's only slightly and then he returns to eating healthy. Not just because he wants to look good but more important, he wants to feel good and to glorify God with a healthy body.....God's Temple.
I asked him if he has a new prayer he said:
I pray the God will show me ways that I can help others do what I have done. I know the emotional pain of not liking the image in the mirror and I also know the toll it takes on your physical health as well.
Today Reginald is studying for his personal training certification and he teaches fitness classes a few times each week in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Reginald, I just know you are helping others right now as they read your story. Thank you for sharing and God bless you.
