A friend from work reads Guideposts magazine for the inspirational and happy stories. And she brought this story (did she know how close it is to my own story?) to my attention. Since I can’t post a link, I’m going to post some snippets you can find the whole story in the August 2006 issue:
Supernatural Self-Control by, Katrina Little
….(snip)…. We ate dinner in silence in front of the TV. After a plate of spaghetti, I still felt empty. I went back for seconds and added two pieces of bread slathered with butter and wolfed it down. I was full, but the strange thing was I didn’t feel satisfied. I needed something sweet.
….(snip)….
Later that week at church, a woman asked if I wanted to be on the prayer team for a woman’s weekend retreat. I hesitated. They really want someone like me? I wondered. I said yes.
….(snip)….
The group leader asked us each to write a letter to God telling what we’d like to see him do for us on the retreat. I turned to the Bible looking for some inspiration. That’s when I came to the passage in Galatians about the fruits of the spirit. Love, joy, faithfulness…and self-control. Yes, I thought. There’s what I really need. Not just a little self-control, but a lot of it. In big, clear, bold letters I wrote on my paper, I need supernatural self-control.
Something happened at that retreat camp. I didn’t go for a second helping at dinner. Late at night, the time when I usually would have a “snack,” I didn’t feel any cravings. I didn’t stay up thinking about food. I just drifted off to sleep….
(snip) ….
My first night home, I fixed up a nice fried chicken dinner with mashed potatoes and gravey for myself, Joey and Joshua. After a few bites, I heard a voice in my head, absolutely clear and direct, That’s enough. Put it away. Now.
The thought startled me. I stood, picked up my plate and started walking back toward the kitchen. “Forget something?” Joey asked. “No,” I said with a shrug. I’m just…not that hungry.” I took out some plastic wrap, covered the plate and put it into the refrigerator. I’ll just have it later tonight. Then I went back into the living room. It wasn’t until the next morning when I saw the untouched plate of fried chicken that I realized I hadn’t gone back and finished it. I couldn’t explain it.
(snip)….
The story goes on and the author continues to listen to God’s direction. She changes her lifestyle by adjusting her eating habits (her habit of not eating between meals and not taking seconds was the plan that made my friend bring this story to my attention.) And eventually she lost 150 pounds.
As someone who’s often taken guidance from the little voice in my head (Listen to the little voice, it’s there to help you. E4T – The Commitment) this story really resonated with me. Whether it’s prayer, affirmations, meditation or some tool I haven’t thought of, listening to that little voice has made a world of difference to me.
4 Comments
THIS is great stuff! Keep up the great work.
Thank you very much, Therapy Doc.
Katrina Little has her OWN website where you can find out more information about her story and also sign up for her newsletter. She is planning to release a book later this year.
Katrina’s website is: http://www.katrinalittle.com
Hi Ben — thanks for bringing her site to our attention. She’s a terrific person.