She Changed My Life

Today on my way to work "This is Your Life" by Switchfoot came on the radio (yes, I listen to KLOVE on my way to work). It got me thinking about the journey of this past year and all that I am thankful for. Within this year I have lost 55+ pounds and truly committed to a life change; I value my health. I went from relentlessly looking for a job to working two months at a call center with some great people to having the company I work for now seek me out and offer me a job where I am doing what I went to school for, graphic design. Most importantly my relationship with God and my faith has grown immensely. He took away everything that I was hiding behind and exposed the truth to me. I am defined by His love and mercy, nothing else.

"This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, are you who you want to be
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose"

A year ago I was not who I wanted to be. My life was not everything I dreamt that it would be when I was younger. This lyric stood out to me this morning and got me thinking about that girl a year ago who was so desperate. She was in her room with this picture hanging on the wall.

And with this little girl staring back at her she broke down because she knew she was not who that little girl had dreamt of becoming. And that's when she knew there would be change. She was broke and had no idea about nutrition and how her body worked. So, fast forward to Christmas where she got some money and bought the book, "This is why you're fat, and how to get thin forever." She educated herself and she was resolute. Her life would never be the same again, because she refused to let that little girl down.

I am thankful for that girl. The girl that was truly desperate for change. I am thankful for her determination to rise above her environment. I am thankful for the fighter inside her that came out and fought for me and now burns in my soul. I would not be here at this place without her. She swallowed her pride and got to work. I am thankful for her and promise not to let her down.

Change IS possible but you have to want it more than what you have now. God has huge things planned for my life and I don't want to miss it, I refuse to settle. I will go shopping for clothes I want to wear, not just clothes that can fit. I will get my dream job because of my skills and talents and not have to worry about them wondering if I can keep up because of my weight. This 24 year old girl who has never been asked out on a date will find true love one day and not be looked over. I will inspire others to value themselves and fight.

I am thankful for a God that will never leave me or forsake me and has revealed even more his immense love for me. And I am thankful for that girl who changed my life.

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