Living in eastern Africa taught me to appreciate all of God's creation. What I would normally thought to be weeds became lunch and/or dinner. Plants growing on fences, which I looked very much like American house plants, were used as "greens" and excellent for fighting high sugar conditions. (Caution--do not try this on your own.) One day a house girl went out into the yard and began pulling up rows and rows of weeds. Instead of putting them on the garbage pile for burning, she placed them by the back door. She had my curiosity being newly African. Slowly and methodically she pulled leaves from the vines, discarding those she deemed to be too tough. It didn't matter if the bugs had eaten through some of the leaves or that the chickens had pecked away; they went into the pot to be washed, cooked, and eaten. The leaves now boiled down to a soft consistency, mixed with the every familiar cooked onions and tomatoes were served for dinner. Some were sweet, others were somewhat bitter, and some were absolutely excellent! Coming back to the States, it was important for me to continue in my weight loss and balance in life. I was able to loose almost 75-pounds in the year that I lived there. Fresh food, no preservatives, nor processed food.
Before Africa, salads were not on the top of my list of good foods. Coming back, there wasn't enough lettuce, greens, and tomatoes. Nothing would satisfy me except a plate of green something. I missed the fresh fruit. I missed that ability to purchase a whole pineapple for about 35 cents in the market or side of the road, instead of the $4.00 in the supermarket. Having the buying power of tomatoes five for 25 cents, huge avocados for about 8 cents a piece, and big yams four or five for 25 cents. And by the way, no butter on anything. I began to really get the concept of what God had put into the Garden of Eden for man to live on for a long and healthy life. My body never felt so good. Problems I had before I left like migraines and painful joints were not even thought of with a change of diet.
I began to look at other things that had changed as well. My focus on people became more intent, their needs and welfare, how to motivate them to become empowered instead of a begging mentality. Deuteronomy 28 became more than just important; it became a banner to those who really wanted change in their lives.
James 4:3 We have not because we ask not, or we ask amiss. What a great word for change. As a world society we have such stark differences and yet at the core, we are the same. We are the same in our need to be loved, to be acknowledged, and our desire for better.
I brought back the jean pants that I wore to Africa. People can't believe that I used to be "that big". Sometimes I can't either (smile). But the reality of it is this: I was that big. I did think differently. I did act differently, and I did want change. It wasn't because I didn't have resources in Africa. The change came because of environment and a closer walk with God. There my life literally depended upon my staying in the Father's lap in prayer and intercession. I will tell you some stories at a later time.
It didn't take staying in my house on my knees. It was my mind that stayed on the Lord continually. My focus wasn't on loosing weight; my focus was on serving God. Back in the States my weight went up a few pounds, but have maintained the same size dress size since. It is my mental and spiritual focus that I refuse to have altered back to a previous status.
We are what we eat is oh so true, physical, mental, and spiritual. Today, I encourage you to begin a new diet--Whole Heart Diet. make a list of what you put in your mouth, the intake of your eyes and ears, and prayer language. Make a detailed list, and just like some of the food diets, keep a list during the day of what you take in. You will be amazed at how fast you become attuned to song lyrics, music of all kinds, billboards, articles, any reading materials. And most importantly, stay focused on the Bible. Your whole being will be greatly affected. You will loose weight in the areas that have become too large and worldly, your spiritual weight will increase that will automatically decrease your mind and body. Today is the best day of your life--make the most of it--change comes one step at a time.
For other resources go to my website: www.mudministries.org for free downloads
- Whole Heart Diet Workbook (Available as free download September)
- Scriptures For Fitness (Available as free download September)
- Keep checking back, more downloads are added regularly
- Sign up for the monthly newsletter
After you have been on the "diet" for a couple of weeks, please let me know how you're doing by sending me an email here
Hey Webmasters! New Photo Album Service Launched - Check it out!
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
bravenet.com