We took family pictures for my mother-in-law's Christmas present. Don't tell her, shhhh. My friend Rita took them. She is a brilliant photographer. We had a lot of fun. It was so cold. I have never really liked taking pictures because of my weight and I must tell you, when we got them I was quite disappointed. Not with the pictures, they are wonderful. But with how I looked. I thought I looked as if I had not lost any weight. I was quite depressed and wondered why I was even trying. I was quite defeated. My husband and my buddy Michelle tried to tell me that it DOES look like I have lost the 130 pounds that I have lost. Nothing really helped and I was very down. But I keep working out, even though I did not want to. When I was rowing, I listened to a new song that I had just put on my iPod. When you are rowing for 45 minutes you have nothing but time on your hands. So I really listened to the words of a song that my daughter is dancing her solo to this year. To be honest, I thought it was just another bubble gum song, but I was wrong. Some of the words really took me back:
If you feel depressed with past regrets
The shameful nights hope to forget
Can disappear they can all be washed away
By the One whose strong can right your wrongs
Can rid your fears dry all your tears
And change the way you look at this big world
He will take your dark distorted view
And with His light He will show you truth
And again you'll see through the eyes of a little girl
There could never be a more beautiful you.
I spend so much time regretting my past and how I have let myself go and all the time I wasted. Sometimes it can get overwhelming. And I know when I looked at those pictures I had a distorted view. But I know that God's view of me is what matters most. He is leading me through this path and wants me to see myself though His eyes, to put all my past mistakes behind me, rid me of my fears and dry my tears. He does see me as beautiful.
So I am sharing our pictures with you and I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and want you to take time this holiday season to spend time with the Savior who will dry your tears, right your wrongs, and show you truth. Because He loves you and gave Himself for you. And He can wash away your past and make all things new.
