I’m sitting in the Charlotte airport thankful that I don’t live in the Northeast. All these storms are wreaking havoc on air travel. I’m good though – just a 2 hour delay and I can use the time to share my adventure.
I was so blessed to be asked to be on the Made to Crave webcast last night. I wish I had some pictures to share but I was way too busy testing out the couch and trying not to throw up or faint. It’s so funny – I’m fine speaking to large groups and sharing my heart, but sitting on that small stage with just a few people was totally different! Totally!
I was okay just chatting but then I would turn to look at the camera and catch the monitor out of the corner of my eye and I just wanted to stop, stare, fix my hair, check my lipstick and announce to all that I look much better standing up! but I stopped myself which is probably good.
If you want to watch the webcast it’s available today at 12noon (EST), 3pm (EST), 8pm (EST) and 10pm (EST). I may watch it, but I’m not sure…. that’s a struggle for me. I’m super critical of how I look – just being honest here!
Being a part of this webcast was not about my looks, it was about being open and honest with this struggle! And it was a blessing to be there – I prayed that some how, some way, God would see fit to use my struggle with weight to His glory. I’m just starting on the path of Made to Crave – I’ve been living this new way for 14 weeks and I’ve lost 12 pounds, but my heart is changing. And that’s what Made to Crave is all about – girls, it’s not a diet plan or an exercise routine. You aren’t going to get 12 meal options and a list of workout plans. Nope. You ARE going to get challenged – heart challenged.
So, if you are thinking about trying this.. I encourage you to pick up the book and open your heart up to what God is showing you.
Maybe food isn’t the think you crave more than God, maybe it’s money, drugs, alcohol or recognition, or maybe you crave time with your friends more than God. Whatever takes your focus from God needs to change – it’s not about the size of my clothes, it’s about the focus on my heart.
You, LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall. Ps 18:28-29
Girls, turning your craving to God can feel like scaling a wall some days, but God is faithful and He will turn your darkest hour into light when you trust in Him.
girls, whatever your struggle – ask God to help you CRAVE HIM ALONE! He is faithful and He will do it! It’s not easy, but in the words of Lysa TerKeurst “dare to believe that this time will be different.”
I would love to hear your thoughts on Made to Crave!
Hey there sweet friend I tweeted earlier I am sure you got them I loved the webcast you were awesome and you brought it girl. I am going to get the book but I have to wait to get it because right now finances do not provide to get it . Anyway I need to CRAVE GOD ALONE and stop waiting for other peoples approval.I am in the northeast and we got a few inches of snow and we are expecting more tonight about 4 more inches and baby it is only 16 degrees outside now brrrr and tomorrow 4 ouch and double ouch I have to venture out to get my dog food and right now the roads are a sheet of ice so I might not be going anywhere. Well have
a good day my friend
Conference call last night the enemy attacked we did not get it to go thru tech difficultys but I still prayed so he the enemy did not win haha.
Carol
Hi Mary, I know I tweeted this last night, but hearing praise never hurts, right? I just loved you on the MTC webcast last night!! You did great and didn’t seem nervous at all! I loved how REAL you were! Thank you so much for sharing!
I am praying for safe travels for you today. God Bless, Becky
Just finished watching and you were amazing!! You are one of the most beautiful women I know, inside and out. God used your words to speak loudest to me. I would save all my calories each day for dessert and then starve myself because I couldn’t live without my chocolate!! What I love most about Made to Crave is it’s a food book people aren’t questioning me for reading. I don’t have a weight struggle. I never have. But I have a heart struggle. Always will.
Any weight struggles I’ve had, I made up trying to be thinner than necessary or to satisfy my desire to find a healthy self image apart from God. I love this: It’s not about my size, it’s about my heart.
Because even skinny girls have food issues.
Love you,
lisa
xoxo
Sweet Mary, Praise the Lord for your open heart and your honesty as you shared your story. God has truly gifted you to always be so “real” and to connect to other women in an exciting and loving way. I’ve always admired your ability to have fun and to embrace life to the fullest. I pray that this adventure will draw you even closer to your Lord Jesus and that He will receive all the honor and glory! I pray for all women (including myself) to gain insight from this bible study; to accomplish set goals both physically and spiritually; to become more intimate with their Savior as they break down any barriers or issues in their lives. May God Bless you in 2011 with good health and lots of deep spiritual growth. Love you….
I just finished listening to the re-cast of “Made to Crave!” WOW!!! Great job, Mary. Your honest, open and willing heart were so beautiful! I met you on the Girls Getaway Cruise in October…and I think it’s very awesome that you began your journey on the last day of that cruise, October 18th. That day was my 40th birthday!!! I began this journey January 5th and have lost 5 lbs. since then. What an amazing book this has been. Truly a gift from the Lord! I’ve struggled for most of my life with up and down weight and I’m daring to believe that this time will be different! So exciting to connect with you on your blog. May God continue to bless you with strength to keep craving more of Him…and in the process get healthy! Blessings!!
Mary,
I just finished watching the recast of Made to Crave from last night and what you shared truly spoke to my heart. It was as though you were in my head! I have felt the shame of my food issues for so long, but it was as though you were sharing my story on this national webcast. I, too, have struggled with eating from 8-12PM and have hidden foods in places so that no one else in my home would eat them. I also used to sit down and watch The Biggest Loser with all kinds of junk food! I just couldn’t believe the parallels in our struggles. I have just begun my “Made to Crave” journey, but have been trying to live a healthier lifestyle for over a month. I just wanted to say thank you for being so open and vulnerable. It was encouraging to know that I am not the only one who struggles with those EXACT temptations. I will pray for victory for you as I pray for each of my own victories. Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone…
~Bethany
Mary,
Thank you. Your words and particularly the scripture you referenced are helping me very much today. Since I have decided to take this walk – I have been attacked nine ways to Sunday and most of the time I feel like it’s been by a plank. It truly is about my heart. When you shared you had to admit you had a problem, it dawned on me I had not confessed it exactly that way before the Lord. So, I admitted to Him that I have a problem with the way I “use” food, not the food itself. I came to realize that I didn’t like the physical feeling of being “hungry” and then I had to ask is it “hunger” I’m afraid of. No, it’s that empty feeling. That bottomless pit and it was then that I realized no amount of food would ever make me feel better, only God’s love, grace, mercy and acceptance will do that. I am trying to live in the moment instead of rushing ahead to the future and allowing God’s protection from all the attacks – thank goodness for that shield! His portion is sufficient. The hunger pangs will only last until the next meal or snack and then they will be gone, the hunger of the heart is the one that last so much longer until we turn it over to God. Thank you Mary for being so faithful to share your journey and give the wisdom and insight that only comes from the Lord and most of all thank you for the scripture.
Blessing!
Mary,
I had no idea you were on Made to Crave! I only caught the last few minutes of it and missed the rest. Bummer. I would’ve loved to have seen you. I have been doing the prayer for Joanne that you’ve been hosting through Go to Meeting. I love being able to “see” you now in my minds eyes.
I so relate to your message about what we crave other than God. We all have idols we’d rather not deal with. Mine has been perfectionism. Oh, I wish I could be that, then I’d never hurt someone, never make a mistake and always have things neat and orderly. Right…. I always will imperfect um, because, I’m not Jesus. When will I ever get this? I know the roots of this terrible weed and know that as Jesus heals my wounds, I’ll be freed from it’s grip. But for now, it’s one step at a time, learning to listen and lean on Him as He shows me how to go forward. One day at a time. Thanks for your honesty!
Glory…you spoke to my heart. I too, have denied for a lot of years that I was just fine…NOT. Going through such a rough season for MANY reasons and there are about 5 major things that have always defined me that I know I craved before God….and they’ve all been stripped away by God. So scared this will be one more cycle of failure…out here doing this alone and most of the time I feel like I’m sinking. But this season has been allowed by God so I’m going to keep trying. Thank you for sharing and being real. After 42 years with God He and I are getting down to the nitty gritty….and there is a whole lot of ugly coming out. Believing that He can help me change my pity party to believing that SOMEDAY there will be a purpose.
Yow were INCREDIBLE on Monday night! Thanks for being so honest and letting the Lord use you to encourage others!! Continued prayers for you as you travel this Made to Crave journey!