Hi friends, I don’t know about you, but January has come and gone and I am ready to be done with seeing all the ads and marketing schemes about how I can “get skinny quick” with some sort of kale smoothie, new lotion, or fat burning supplement. More-so, I have personally witnessed how early this pressure begins. My oldest is only 9 and she is already coming home with questions and concerns about her changing body, hearing things at school from her peers about what the world’s standards of beauty are today.
As a Christian woman, I began to look at my own relationship with my body image and food this past year. I noticed how quick I would be to grab a coffee, treat, or chip when I was tired, stressed or sad. I started to go to God in those moments, asking Him to reveal to me the deeper longings I carried. I soon realized how little I knew about “body theology” and how ill equipped to guide or encourage my three daughters in this area.
So, I went deep into prayer and started journaling like crazy. I began paying attention to my daughters; their curiosities, questions, concerns. I saw so much of myself in them. I then started digging deeper into scripture… and wow, I have discovered SO MUCH.
Which leads me to this email. This month I am launching a free online women’s small group! And you’re invited!
I have been praying about how to lead this group and best support you for a few months now. Considering I am still in the early processes of developing this content, I decided it would be best to host our first meeting together as an informal one, focusing on introductions and open discussion. I really want to hear from you; who you are, why you have joined, what challenges you are facing, and what you hope to get out of this group together!
It is my hope that we meet once a month through the end of year and begin to shift our mindsets, develop some new healthy habits, and start walking in freedom and confidence in this area. If you have struggled with negative body image or unhealthy eating patterns, I truly believe you are in the right place to break free for good. The Lord can and will bring healing and restoration through the prayer, encouragement, community, scripture and practical changes that I hope to offer in this small group. I am so humbled and honored to walk alongside you and witness what He does in the coming months.
Please be sure to invite your sister or friend. We need more women who are confident and able to care for their bodies in the way God asks them to. We need to know what to put on our plates and in our mouths without fear or shame. We need to know how to encourage the next generation and how to combat the pressure from the media, marketing, and more. We need to be honest about obesity rates, calories, and addictive foods that are being manufactured. We need to train our girls with media literacy so they can spot an edited photo when they see one. We need to reclaim from the enemy what he has again and again tried to steal– our relationship with the gift of food meant for life and nourishment, and a body meant for God’s purposes, plan and glory.
So many women have already signed up, and I hope you will too!
Our first meeting together this Tuesday February 25th at 7:30p EST. Get any kids tucked into bed, grab your favorite cozy tea and notebook, and sign in with an open heart and mind. I really look forward to connecting with you face to face! If for some reason you can’t make our first LIVE meeting, I will email out the recording. If you like to plan ahead, mark your calendar for our second meeting which will take place on March 18th at 7:30p.
